ASSESSMENT OF NURSING MOTHERS’ KNOWLEDGE OF CHILD HEALTHY WEIGHT: A CASE STUDY OF INFANT WELFARE CLINIC, UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN
Abstract
ASSESSMENT OF NURSING MOTHERS’ KNOWLEDGE OF CHILD HEALTHY WEIGHT: A CASE STUDY OF INFANT WELFARE CLINIC, UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN
* Fakunle R.A.1, Adebayo-Oke BO1
1 Bowen University, Iwo
1University of Ibadan
Corresponding Authors: rrfakunle@gmail.com & bosede.adebayooke@gmail.com
Background & Rationale: Childhood obesity has been reported as one of the most serious Public Health challenges and continues to increase at an alarming rate with about 43 million obese/overweight preschool children worldwide
Objective of the Study: The study assessed level of knowledge of nursing mothers and relationship between their socio-demographic variables, Child Healthy Weight (CHW) and measures for the Maintenance of Child Healthy Weight (MCHW).
Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 230 volunteered and eligible nursing mothers attending a university based infant welfare clinic in Ibadan, Nigeria. Self-administered questionnaire consisted of over 30 self-generated items from literature review was used to obtain information from the respondents on their knowledge of Child Healthy Weight (CHW) and Body Mass Index Percentile (BMI Percentile), Causes and consequences of childhood obesity/overweight and adequate measures for maintenance of Child Healthy Weight (MCHW). Data were analysed using SPSS while descriptive and inferential statistics were used at 0.05 significance level.
Result: Majority of the respondents 205 (89.1%) were multi para, 222 (96.6%) fall within 20-40 years of age, 220 (96%) had formal education, 83(36.1%) were civil servant, 48(20.9%) were traders, and 77(33.5%) were self-employed while 22(9.6%) engaged in different forms of unspecified occupation. The mean and grand mean for mothers’ knowledge on CHW and BMI Percentile, causes and complication of overweight/obesity and measures for MCHW were greater than the set criterion mean of 2.50.
Significant relationships was observed between mother’s occupation and their knowledge on CHW (r = 0.253**, p < 0 xss=removed xss=removed xss=removed xss=removed>
Conclusion: Study showed that knowledge of the respondents on CHW and measures for MCHW was adequate, but no significant relationship between their educational level and knowledge of causes of childhood overweight/obesity
Implications for Policy: Health education and involvement of mothers on CHW and measures to MCHW at various maternal and child health clinics. Development of Family Centred CHW Programmes for overweight and obese children.
Keywords: Infant
Mr. Ademola Akinlade