Maternal Feeding Practices and Child Nutritional Outcomes in Primary Health Care Settings in Rivers State, Nigeria. A Clinical Epidemiological Approach

Background: Child malnutrition remains a critical public health
challenge in Nigeria. Maternal knowledge and feeding practices play
important roles in improving child nutrition outcomes. The study used
a clinical epidemiological approach to assess maternal compliance with
recommended feeding practices and its association with child
nutritional outcomes in six primary healthcare (PHC) centres in Rivers
State, Nigeria.
Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among
410 mothers attending the six PHCs for three months (January 20th,
2025, to April24th, 2025). Data were collected on sociodemographic
characteristics, knowledge, compliance with feeding guidelines, and
child nutritional status. Multivariate logistic regression identified
predictors of maternal compliance with child feeding practices.
Results: Mean maternal age was 29.6 ± 5.4 years. Many mothers had
secondary or higher education (63.4%), and 76.1% were multiparous.
Compliance with feeding guidelines was 51.7%. Children’s nutritional
indicators showed 29.8% stunting and 18.2% underweight. The
predictors of maternal compliance were high maternal knowledge
(Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR]=2.31; 95% CI: 1.54-3.46; p<0.001),
secondary education or higher (AOR=1.87; 95% CI: 1.21-2.88;
p=0.005), and household food availability (AOR=2.69; 95% CI: 1.76-
4.10; p<0.001). Attendance at PHC follow-up visits showed a positive
trend (AOR = 1.45; 95% CI: 0.94-2.26), but this was not statistically
significant (p = 0.084).
Conclusion: Maternal education, knowledge, and household food
availability are key to improving child nutrition. Interventions should
improve understanding and access to resources.