Current Pediatric Research

Objective: The addition of solid food to the diet of infants, established as complementary feeding, is an important milestone which has nutritional, developmental and health ramifications. When human milk or infant formula solely is not any more adequate for nutritional motive, complementary food is required. An infant’s diet should be remarkably enriched with right foods loaded with proteins and other nutrients. The study aimed to assess the difference in knowledge of multigravida and primigravida females regarding appropriate complementary feeding practice.

Methods: This cross sectional study was aimed at comparison of knowledge regarding complementary feeding practice between primigravida and multigravida females. The study duration was 6 months, from January to June 2017. A total of 377 participants were included in the study. Following the written informed consent, participants were required to fill a structured questionnaire. SPSS version 23 was used for statistical analysis.

Results: The multigravida females had more knowledge regarding complementary feeding practice compared to primigravida females (P<0.05). Educated females were found to be more familiar regarding complementary feeding practice (P<0.05). Awareness regarding correct age of complementary feeding was more accurate in multigravida females (P<0.05). Almost all participants chose pureed mashed food as the consistency to begin complementary feeding. The pattern of milk intake was predominantly exclusive breast feeding.

Conclusion: Multigravida females have more knowledge regarding appropriate complementary feeding practice compared to the primigravida females. Findings from this study emphasize the need for efforts to enhance awareness regarding complementary feeding practice amongst the primigravida females.

Author(s): Shizma Junejo, Shazia Fakhir Musharraf, Atiya Fasih, Shakeel Ahmed, Giran Naz Jagirani, Sarah Rabbani, Alisha Afzal

Abstract | Full-Text | PDF

Share this