Date of Conferral

2019

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Health

Advisor

Dr. Tolulope Osoba,

Abstract

Infants and young children in the Northwest province of Nigeria are susceptible to malnutrition. Inappropriate and inadequate breastfeeding and complementary feeding result in stunting, underweight, and wasting. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine current feeding practices of infants not older than 2 years and their nutritional status in Northwest Nigeria. The theory of planned behavior was adopted in this research. With a total sample size of 3,861, multiple linear regression was adopted as a predictive analysis to delineate the correlation between two or more independent variables and one continuous dependent variable. Also, adopted was an independent t test to demonstrate the statistical difference between the mean of the dependent variable and that of the independent variable. The coefficient of determination (R2) indicated that the change in underweight associated with exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) was 8.1%. The overall regression model was significant, F(18, 879) = 4.29, p < .05, adj. R2 = .06 predicted underweight in infants under 6 months of age. The coefficient of determination (R2) indicated that the changes in underweight associated with age appropriate complementary (CP) feeding was 8.0%. The overall regression model was significant, F(18, 2,944) = 14.29, p < .05, adj. R2 = .08. The model predicted underweight in infants 624 months of age. The results from this study can be used in the reinforcement of EBF and age appropriate CP guidelines and policies by the extension of paid leave, implementing flexibility in working hours, and private space to breastfeed.

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