Effects of Structured complimentary feeding instructions on knowledge of mothers of infant Anthropometry and morbidity status of infants

Abstract

Complementary feeding (CF) to infants is a process of gradually introducing semi-liquid to semi-solid foods along with breast milk at the completion of 6 months. The objectives are to assess the demographic variables of infants and mothers of infant, to assess the pre and posttest knowledge among mothers of infant, anthropometric and morbidity status of infants. Methodology: Quantitative evaluative approach with pretest posttest control group design was used. Validity and reliability of the tool were established. Sample of 500 mothers of infant who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were selected by simple Random sampling technique. Obtained written consent from each participant before collecting the data and confidentiality of data were maintained. The collected data are tabulated and analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Group I (Experimental) mean and SD 27.3±1.57, SE-0.83, Group II (Control) mean and SD 16.4±2.62, SE-0.52, t value-1.95, Cohen s d 5.20, Effect size 0.7. Posttest knowledge of the mothers of infant s on CF in group I had 93% adequate, 7% moderately adequate and 0% inadequate knowledge were as among group II had 3% adequate, 63% moderately adequate and 34% inadequate knowledge. It showed that group I had adequate knowledge when compare to group II. Infants in the group I had a higher mean weight of 510 g (p and#706; 0.001), length of 0.65 cm (p and#706; 0.001), and Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) of 1.0 cm (p and#706; 0.001), compared to the group II. At 12 months among group I the majority of infant s 235 (96%) had no illness were as 10 (4.0%) of infant s had illness in which 7 (70%) had exhibited minor illness, 3 (30%) had exhibited moderate illness and 0 (0%) no infant s with severe illness. At 12 months among group II infants had no illness 97 (41%) were as majority of infants 137 (59%) had illness in which 48 (35%) had exhibited minor illness, 63 (46%) had exhibited moderate illness and 26 (19%) infant s exhibited severe illness. It showed that group I infant s exhibited lesser illness than the group II infant s. An additional counseling and health education session on complementary feeding were arranged for both the group of mothers who had moderate and inadequate knowledge after the posttest. newline