Feeding Methods and Nutritional Status in Infants Under Six Months in the Wum Urban Community, North West Region- Cameroon
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Abstract
Background: Nutritional status and feeding practices are crucial for infant growth and development. It is worthy of note that various factors influence feeding practices and nutritional status. The purpose of this study was to analyze the feeding habits and nutritional condition of infants under six months old in the Wum Urban community. Methods: A total of 150 mothers and infants were recruited in this study. A community based analytic cross sectional study was conducted from April to June 2024 in the Wum Urban community. A Multistage sampling technique was used to select participants for this study. Mothers of children under six months were given questionnaires to evaluate their feeding methods; interviews were held, and the anthropometric measures of the children were obtained. Chi square test and cluster analysis were conducted. Results: Infants under six months old were studied. The majority of mothers (46%), were between the ages of 26 and 35, and had secondary education. Mothers were more of housewives (32%), and more of them identified as Christians (67.3%). Most infants (56.7%) were female, and 28% of them ranged in age from 10 to 15 weeks. The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding, mixed feeding, and weaning were 39.3%, 42.0%, and 18.7%, respectively. A significant number of infants (14.0%) were underweighted. (8.0%) were overweight, 13.3% were stunted, 3.3% had microcephaly and 6.0% had severe microcephaly. Infant feeding practices were found to be correlated with a wide range of factors including socio demographic, economic, maternal and obstetric factors. However, there was no correlation found between mother exclusive breastfeeding knowledge and infant feeding. Based on weight categories, cluster analysis shows that while the majority of infants who were mixed-fed were overweight, those who were exclusively breastfed had normal healthy weights, for their age. Conclusion: Wum urban community all mothers breastfed their babies, but mixed feeding was more prevalent than exclusive breastfeeding. A significant proportion of newborns were stunted, had both microcephaly and severe microcephaly, and were both overweight and underweight. There are many factors that affect infant feeding, and there is a significant relationship between infant feeding methods and nutritional status.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Andong Karen Unyo, Dr Mary Chia Garba, Dr Njiandock Fomenky Cecilia
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