Feeding Practices in the Context of Child Malnutrition: Evidence from Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria.

Optimal Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices are crucial for child survival, growth, and development, particularly during the first 1,000 days of life. Suboptimal feeeding remains a major contributor to childhood malnutrition in many developing countries, including Nigeria. This study evaluated the knowledge and practces of IYCF among caregivers of malnourished children attending the Institute of Child Health, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria. A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed among caregivers of children aged 6–59 months. Using systematic random sampling, 30 caregivers were recruited. Data were collected through a semi-structured questionnaire and anthropometric measurements, including weight-for-height/length, Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC), and assessment of bilateral pitting oedema, and were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results indicated that most caregivers were young mothers aged 20–25 years (42.9%) and predominantly married (78.6%). Among the children, 57.1% were severely acutely malnourished by weight-for-height, while MUAC measurements indicated 35.7% with severe and 42.9% with moderate malnutrition. Early initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour was reported by only 25% of mothers, and 61.5% introduced complementary foods before six months. Additionally, 53% of children were partially or not immunized for their age. These findings reveal significant gaps in caregivers’ knowledge and practices of IYCF. Strengthening nutrition education, breastfeeding counseling, and community-based maternal and child health services is essential to promote optimal feeding practices and reduce the burden of childhood malnutrition in vulnerable populations.