Psychosocial Factors Affecting Attitudes and Practices of Child Nutrition among Women in Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

Adijat Motunrayo ARIYO, OLADEJI D

Good nutrition is nourishment for life. An adequate supply of food and proper nutritional habit are fundamental factors that place people of all races and developmental stages for healthy living. The study examined and analysed the psycho-social factors affecting the attitudes and practises of child nutrition among women in Ibadan metropolis. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The target population comprised all the mothers who brought their children to the hospitals and clinics in Ibadan metropolis. A random sampling of women with children of 130 respondents was made,using knowledge of nutrition, socioeconomic factors and family background criteria among other. A self-administered questionnaire as well as a structured interview schedule were used to collect the requisite data which includes maternal knowledge, attitude towards nutrition, and child feeding practises among other. The data was analysed using ANOVA and Regression statistics. The result of the study revealed a significant position ofmaternal knowledge of nutrition as it affects the psychosocial factors of age, occupation, and educational qualification (F=3.67, P<0.05). The result also revealed a multiple regression of 0.476 and 19.1% of the variance in knowledge was shown by the coefficient of determination (R² = 0.191). Based on the results of the study, maternal knowledge on nutrition should be encourage and human nutritionist should organise seminars, workshops and campaigns to further assist women on their children feeding practises and finally the observed psychosocial factors that are found to be relevant on child feeding practises should be encouraged.

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