Determinants of Timely Initiation of Complementary Feeding among Children Aged 6-24 Months in Sagamu; Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Background: Poor breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices may contribute to childhood malnutrition in the developing world. Objective: The objective was to examine the determinants of timely initiation of complementary feeding among Nigerian children. Materials and Methods: Using a cross-sectional design; children aged 6-24 months were surveyed in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital. Children with timely initiation of complementary feeding (6-8 months) were compared with children with untimely initiation of complementary feeding early (6 months and 8 months) for clinical and social characteristics using both bivariate and multivariate analysis. Results: Of 156 children; 41; 53.8; and 5.1 had timely; early and delayed initiation of complementary feeding. Complementary feeding was initiated with processed cereals (44.8); locally prepared maize gruel (32.1) and mashed family diet (23.1