Relationship between Weaning Foods and Nutritional Status of Children Attending Immunization Clinic at a Military Barracks in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Aims: To determine the relationship between weaning foods and nutritional status of children aged 6-23 months attending immunization clinic at a military barracks in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, Nigeria.

Study Design: Descriptive cross sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: 400 children who attend immunization clinic at the 2 brigade medical centre, Port Harcourt participated in the study which took place from July-September 2016.

Methodology: Systematic random sampling was done and data was collected using questionnaires. Weight (using Salter scale, model 180) and height measurements (with a wooden measuring board) were taken. The completely filled questionnaires (373) were analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2007, SPSS version 20 and WHO Anthro version 3.2.2, 2011 and presented in tables. Chi square and logistic regression was done to determine association between weaning foods and nutritional status.

Results: Response rate was 93.25%.The mean age of the children was 13.04±5.04 months, with 211 (56.6%) males and 162 (43.4%) females. Locally prepared cereals were the most commonly used weaning food, for 211(56.6%) children. Others include commercially prepared cereals 96(25.7%); family diet 12 (3.2%), combination of local, commercial or family diet 47(12.6%).Those overweight were 33 (8.8%), 23 (6.2%) were moderately wasted, 3 (0.8%) severely wasted, 44 (11.8%) moderately stunted, 36 (9.6%) severely stunted; 18 (4.8%) moderately underweight and 4 (1.1%) had severe underweight. Chi square test showed an association between weaning foods and all the forms of malnutrition (P <.05).Wasting and overweight were more with local + commercial cereals (16%, 16%, P = .001), underweight and stunting were more with local cereal+ family diet (15%, 40%, P= .001)

Conclusion: The poor nutritional status observed from this study was associated with the weaning foods used and emphasis should be placed on child care and feeding practices.