Title: Exploring the Various Infant Feeding Practice Among

Mothers Attending Infant Welfare Clinic at Holy Trinity

EKONA.
Name: Neh Doreen
No:1244
INTRODUCTION
Infant feeding is a systematic feeding of infant from birth to one
year of age. (Saha, 2008). The recommended dietary allowance
for infancy is based on the amount of nutrients provided to
healthy infants in human milk during the first six months of life
and increasing amount of solid during the second six months.
(Bronner, et al 1991). Infant feeding is the cornerstone of care for
childhood development (WHO,2013). Worldwide about 30% of
children under five are shunted as a consequences of poor infant
feeding. Therefore proper feeding practice during infancy are
essential for attaining and maintaining proper nutrition, health
and development of infant and children (Saha, 2008).
BACKGROUND
1.1 Overview of the research area and problem.
Infant feeding is a process of feeding infant from birth to one
year of age. The historical background of infant feeding practices
for a full term infant immediately after birth includes, wet
nursing, which was a method of feeding in which women where
paid to breastfeed babies (Davis,1993), bottle feeding, in which

babies were fed with animals milk, (Weinberg, 1993), and

formula feeding, infant was fed with pap. Several studies on
infant and child feeding has indicated that in appropriate infant
feeding can have a profound effect on the growth and
development and survival of infant and children particularly in
developing world, (WHO,2003). In Cameroon according to the
Demographic Health Survey (DHS,2012), although 99% babies
are breastfed, 24% exclusively breastfed up to 6 months. This
study is carried out to reduce life threatening nutritional
deficiencies
Even though formula feeding was introduced, which is a mixture
of liquid bread to a puffy texture this methods was found to have
its short coming which causes infections to the infants due to
poor hygiene used ( Davis,1993).
1.2 Statement of problem
The rate of childhood morbidity and morality in Cameroon and
worldwide has increase due to poor infant feeding methods
chosen by mothers. Lack of knowledge on the types, factors that
influence their choice has been crucial and if care is not taken
will lead to poor optimal growth and development. This study is
carried out to reduce life threatening nutritional deficiencies.

1.3

Research Questions

What are the factors that influence mothers choice of infant

feeding?
What are the different infant feeding methods practiced by
mothers?
1.4 Hypothesis
Most mothers in Ekona has limited knowledge on infant feeding.
2

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

2.1: AIM
To fine out the factors that influence the choice of infant
feeding and the types of infant feeding practice amongst
mothers
2.2 Objectives
General Objective

To assess infant feeding practice among mothers

attending infant welfare clinic at Holy Trinity Ekona.

Specific Objectives
To identify the factors influencing the choice of infant
feeding methods
To identify the different infant feeding methods
practice by mothers.

Significant of Study

This study will identify the factors influencing

mothers choice of infant feeding therefore form the
basis for necessary modification or towards
encouraging the best infant feeding practice
To mothers they will know the consequences of poor
feeding practices
To nurses and healthcare workers, it will serve as
information for the purpose of further studies or better
client care.
4: Research Methodology
4.1: Study area
Holy Trinity Ekona

4.2 Study population

The study population includes all the women attending
infant health clinic in Ekona.
4.3: Study Design.
This research design is a descriptive survey design
where the researcher gathers information from a
number of respondents using questionnaires and data
obtained from the questionnaires which was subjected
to descriptive statistics.
4.4: Study sample
4.4.1: Sample size
It will be 40 mothers
Sampling Technique
Incidental sampling