Knowledge and Perception of Feeding Stimulators among Nursing Mothers with Infants and Toddlers Aged 6 to 24 Months in Oluyole Local Government, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

Aims: This study assessed the knowledge and perception of feeding stimulators to enhance feeding among nursing mothers in Oluyole Local Government, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Study Design: This study employed a cross-sectional design.

Place and Duration of Study: Primary Health Centres in Oluyole Local Government Area, Ibadan, Oyo State between October and December, 2020.

Methodology: We included 400 mother-child (6-24 months) dyads selected using a two-stage sampling process from eight Primary Health Centers. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on mothers' knowledge and perception of feeding stimulators. Knowledge of feeding stimulators was scored in percentages (≥50%=good knowledge and <50%=fair knowledge). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and correlation analysis (α0.05).

Results: The average age of nursing mothers was 30.0±5.6 yearswith mainly secondary level of education (56.0%) and infants mean age of11.7±4.9. Notably, 75.5% of them were unfamiliar with the concept of feeding stimulants. Those who knew, did through self-discovery (13.5%), health workers (5.8%), family/friends (3.7%), or media (1.5%). Less than half (43.2%) of the respondents had good knowledge while 56.8% had a fair knowledge of feeding stimulators for complementary feeding. More than half of the nursing mothers agreed that feeding stimulation at a young age improved mental scores and long-term cognitive ability (58.8%), and the use of feeding stimulators such as toys, video games, and colours could assist children in acquiring valuable skills needed for academic achievement (57.1%). A very strong positive correlation (r=+0.962) was observed between mothers’ knowledge and children’s food intake.

Conclusion: There is a pressing need to raise awareness among mothers regarding the benefits of using feeding stimulators to improve children’s intake of complementary foods, especially from health workers.