CHAPTER FOUR RESULTS, ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS 4.1.

INTRODUCTION The concern of this chapter is to present the data collected from the field, analyse them and also discuss the findings, after the research hypotheses would have been tested. As stated earlier in chapter three a hundred (100) nursing market women were selected as sample elements. Fifty questionnaires each were distributed to Sapon and Olodo markets respectively and all were returned. It is pertinent to mention that all the data were analysed manually. 4.2 RESEACH HYPOTHESIS ANALYSIS AND RESULTS 4.2.1 DATA PRESENTATION TABLE 4.1 DISTRIBUTIONS OF RESPONDENTS BY MARKETS SAPON MARKET (URBAN) NO OF RESPONDENTS % OF TOTAL 50 50 50 50 OLODO MARKET (RURAL) 100 100 TOTAL

Figure 1 Sample Population by market

TABLE 4.2 DISTRIBUTIONS OF RESPONDENTS BY AGE Under 20 No of 21 respondents % of total 21 20-29 20 20 30-39 29 29 40-49 20 20 Above 50 10 10 Total 100 100

TABLE 4.3 DISTRIBUTIONS OF RESPONDENTS BY MARITAL STATUS Married No of respondents % of total 47 47 Divorced 20 20 Single parent 20 20 widow 13 13 Total 100 100

The table indicates that a larger number of the respondents 47% are married as against 20% divorcees, 20% single parents and 13% widows. TABLE 4.4 DISTRIBUTIONS OF RESPONDENTS BY EDUCATION No school attended 26 26 Pry 43 43 Secondary 18 18 Diploma&above Total 13 13 100 100

No of respondents % of total

Majority of the respondents (43%) are primary school holder while those with post secondary education are 13% which is the least.

TABLE 4.5 DISTRIBUTIONS OF RESPONDENTS BY TRADE

TYPE OF TRADE SAPON MARKET(URBAN) FREQ BOOK SELLER VIDEO CLUB DECORATION MATERIALS IRU SELLER KEROSENE BREAD SELLER FISH SELLER FOODSTUFFS GROUNDNUT FARMING SHOE SELLER FASHION DESIGNER COSMETICS YAM BAG SELLER PETTY TRADER PURE WATER PROVISION CLOTHE MATERIALS TEA SELLER OIL SELLER CATERER BISCUITS SOAP PEPPER FRUITS PITO JEWELRY DRINKS TOTAL 8 0 3 0 1 0 5 3 3 0 4 3 2 1 3 1 1 1 2 1 1 0 2 1 O 2 0 2 0 50 % 16 NIL 6 NIL 2 NIL 10 6 6 NIL 8 6 4 2 6 2 2 2 4 2 2 NIL 4 2 NIL 4 NIL 4 NIL 100 4 1 2 2 4 1 3 0 2 1 2 0 2 2 5 2 2 0 2 1 1 5 1 1 1 2 50 OLODO MARKET(RURAL) FREQ 0 1 % NIL 2 0 8 2 4 4 8 2 6 NIL 4 2 4 NIL 4 4 10 4 4 NIL 4 2 2 10 2 2 2 4 100 TRADE TOTAL 8 1 NIL 4 2 2 7 7 4 3 4 5 3 3 3 3 3 6 4 3 1 2 3 2 5 3 1 3 2

TABLE 4.6 DISTRIBUTIONS OF RESPONDENTS BY TRIBE

No of respondents % of total 43

Yoruba 43

Hausa 12 12

Igbo 21 21

Egun 12 12

Others 12 12

Total 100 100

TABLE 4.7 DISTRIBUTIONS OF RESPONDENTS BY HUSBANDS OCCUPATION Civil servan t 21 Pensione r 16 Self employe d 32 Laboure r 13 Unemploye d 2 Other s 16 Total 89

No of respondent s % of total

21

16

32

13

16

100

The sixteen 16 respondents under others column included thirteen deceased husbands, two farmers and one other. TABLE 4.8 DISTRIBUTIONS OF RESPONDENTS BY MONTHLY FAMILY INCOME Less than N10,000 No of respondents % of total 49 49 N 10,00030,000 35 35 N 3000050000 16 16 N 50000 &Above 0 0 Total

100 100

Almost half of the respondents (49%) are having monthly family income of less than Ten thousand naira (N 10,000) monthly. There is none under the fifty thousand (N 50,000) column.

Figure 2 Respondents and Monthly Family Income

TABLE 4.9 DISTRIBUTIONS OF RESPONDENTS BY NO OF CHILDREN No of respondents % of total 1 only 24 24 2-4 45 45 5& above 31 31 Total 100 100

Majority of the women (45%) have between two and four children as against 24% who have only one (1) and 31% who have more than five (5). TABLE 4.10 DISTRIBUTIONS OF RESPONDENTS BY SEX AND AGE OF YOUNGEST CHILD <12 months Ma Fem le ale 25 19 52. 1 25 36.5 19 12-16 months Ma Fem le ale 11 11 22. 9 11 21.2 11 17-18 months Ma fem le ale 2 3 4.1 2 5.8 3 2324monts Ma Fem le ale 4 8 8.3 4 15.4 8 Others Ma fem le ale 6 11 12. 5 6 21.2 11 Total M 48 10 0 F 52 10 0 Gra nd Tot al 100 NIL

No of respond ents

% of total by sex % of Grand Total

NI NI 100 L L

Figure 3 Respondents and Sex/Age of youngest child

INFORMATION ON WEANING PATTERN TABLE 4.11 RESPONSES ON AGE 0F YOUNGEST CHILD WHEN WEANED

Not yet weaned No of 26 respondents % of total 26

Before 3 months 17 17

3-4 months 8 8

5-6 months 21 21

After 6monts 28 28

Total 100 100

Figure 4 Respondents and age of youngest child when weaned

Majority of respondents (28%) weaned their children after six (6) months. Since there are twenty four (24) women, as indicated in table 4.9, who had only one child each, then two respondents of the twenty six (26) under Not Yet Weaned column have more than one child. It should be noted that Section b,questions 13-30 were structured in a way to elicit information from those who had weaned their babies.Therefore,the total number of respondents in this section is seventy four (74)as against one hundred (100)in the preceding sections. TABLE 4.12 RESPONSES ON BREASTFEEDING DURATION YES FREQUENCY % Continuation of breastfeeding during weaning Stoppage of breastfeeding as soon as I weaned 58 78.4 NO FREQUENCY 16 % 21.6 74 TOTAL

29

39.2

45

60.8

74

TABLE 4.13 RESPONSES ON DIET FIRST INTRODUCED TO CHILD. OLODO FREQ BEANS MEAT RICE EGG MILK FISH CHICKEN PAP EKO AMALA VEGETABLES FRUIT BUTTER HONEY COMMERCIAL FOODS/INST ANT FORMULA 21 2 15 13 9 11 1 29 22 18 4 3 1 1 14 % 80.8 100 68.2 76.5 37.5 64.7 33.3 70.7 73.3 90 66.7 50 100 16.67 46.7 SAPON FREQ 5 0 7 4 15 6 2 12 8 2 2 3 0 5 16 % 19.2 NIL 31.8 23.5 62.5 35.3 66.7 29.3 26.7 10 33.3 50 NIL 83.33 53.3 26 2 22 17 24 17 3 41 30 20 6 6 1 6 30 TOTAL

TABLE 4.14 CHOICE OF WEANING FOOD Make No of respondents % of total 37 50 Buy 16 22 Both 21 28 total 74 100

Majority of the women(50%) make their food as against those who either buy (22%) or combine both (28%). TABLE 4.15 REASONS FOR CHOICE OF WEANING FOOD

Convenience Cheaper Time More Others Total % of factor nourishing Grand Total Commercially produced /infant formula % of total Home produced % of total Grand total 2 3 12 4 3 24 32.4

8.3 9 18

12.5 15 30

50 8 16

16.7 10 20

12.5 8 16 74 100 50 67.6

Time factor ranked highest (50%) of the factors responsible for choice of commercially produced/ infant formula by respondents with convenience ranking lowest (8.3%). For respondents who chose home produced food, cheapness was the main factor (30%) followed by more nourishing (20%) .While convenience ranked third(18%),time factor and others have a tie of 16% each. TABLE 4.16 EXPERIENCES ON WEANING BABY INTO SOLID FOOD Very easy No of respondents % of total 16 21.6 Easy 17 23 Undecided 11 14.9 Difficult 23 31.1 Very difficult 7 9.4 total 74 100

Majority of respondents (31.1%) had difficult experiences in weaning babies into solid food. Those who had it very easy and easy are 21.6% and23 % respectively. Altogether, 44.6% is greater than those who had difficult or very difficult experiences (40.5%).

Figure 5 Respondents and Experiences on weaning baby into Solid food

TABLE 4.17 SECTION C: PARENTAL ATTITUDE ON WEANING (SAPON)

S/NO Statements Strongly Agree FREQ 1. My child grows better with bottle feeding Most children weaned early always indulge in thumb sucking and other habits Children weaned early are not as intelligent as those with prolonged breastfeeding Children weaned early are prone to death unlike their counterparts weaned late Age mates of my children in other markets in the state are somehow better than mine Children weaned early are more prone to diseases than those weaned late. 29 % 5 8 2 8 Agree FREQ 4 % 8 Undecided REEQ 8 % 1 6 1 8 Disagree FREQ 4 % 8 Strongly Disagree FREQ 5 % 1 0 1 2 50 TOTAL

2.

14

16

3 2

10

50

3.

17

3 4

12

2 4

1 6

14

1 2

50

4.

1 6

16

3 2

1 2

13

26

1 4

50

5.

16

3 2

1 8

1 6

12

11

2 2

50

18

3 6

17

3 4

1 2

1 0

50

TABLE 4.18 SECTION C: PARENTAL ATTITUDE ON WEANING (OLODO)

S/NO Statements Strongly Agree FREQ 1. My child grows better with bottle feeding Most children weaned early always indulge in thumb sucking and other habits Children weaned early are not as intelligent as those with prolonged breastfeeding Children weaned early are prone to death unlike their counterparts weaned late Age mates of my children in other markets in the state are somehow better than mine Children weaned early are more prone to diseases than those weaned late. 12 % 2 4 2 6 Agree FREQ 23 % 4 6 3 2 Undecided REEQ 2 % 4 Disagree FREQ 13 % 2 6 3 2 Strongly Disagree FREQ 0 % NIL 50 TOTAL

2.

13

16

16

50

3.

12

2 4

20

4 0

15

3 0

50

4.

14

2 8

17

3 4

12

2 4

10

50

5.

12

2 4

11

2 2

10

18

3 6

50

20

4 0

19

3 8

1 0

50

TABLE 4.19 SECTION C: PARENTAL ATTITUDE ON WEANING (COMBINED MARKETS)

S/N O Statements Strongly Agree FRE Q 1. My child grows better with bottle feeding Most children weaned early always indulge in thumb sucking and other habits Children weaned early are not as intelligent as those with prolonged breastfeedi ng Children weaned early are prone to death unlike their counterpart s weaned late Age mates of my children in other markets in the state are somehow better than mine Children weaned early are more prone to diseases than those weaned late. 41 % 4 1 Agree FRE Q 27 % 2 7 Undecided REE Q 10 % 1 0 Disagree FRE Q 17 % 1 7 Strongly Disagree FRE Q 5 % 5 100 TOTA L MEAN SCOR E

3.8

2.

27

2 7

32

3 2

11

1 1

21

2 1

100

3.9

3.

29

2 9

32

3 2

10

1 0

22

2 2

100

2.5

4.

22

2 2

33

3 3

25

2 5

12

1 2

100

3.3

5.

28

2 8

20

2 0

13

1 3

24

2 4

15

1 5

100

3.2

38

3 8

36

3 6

10

1 0

100

3.9

TABLE 4.20 PARENTAL KNOWLEDGE ON WEANING YES FREQ 1.My child will get 100% nutrient from breast milk 2.Cows milk can only be introduced into my babys diet after 1 year 3.Children who breastfed for long grew better than those weaned early 4.Early weaning will cause emotional arm to my child 78 47 % 78 47 NO FREQ 22 53 % 22 53 100 100 TOTAL

57 48

57 48

43 52

43 52

100 100

TABLE 4.21 WEANING PRACTICE YES FREQ 1.I enjoy weaning practice when my child is being weaned 2.The weaning process is too tedious 59 % 80 NO FREQ 15 % 20 74 TOTAL

27

36.5

47

63.5

74

3.Introduction of infant formula at 3 months due to busy schedule on market days 4.Introduction of pap at 3 months because breast milk was not enough for baby 5. Breastfeeding up to 4-6 months is very easy and convenient.

37

50

37

50

74

28

37.8

46

62.2

74

52

70.3

22

29.7

74

6.Started weaning with little quantity of 49 solid food like porridge, beans fish etc 7.Baby has been eating very well before 1 year old 8. Baby only takes breast milk after 1 year because of dislikes for other food. 49 24

66.2 66.2 32.4

25 25 50

33.8 33.8 76.6

74 74 74

TABLE 4.22 FACTORS/REASONS FOR WEANING BY MOTHERS

S/N O Statements Strongly Agree FRE Q 1. It was child-led, it happened naturally My own decision, based on family circumstances I decided that the child was ready Due to social pressure Due to babys refusal to feed Doctors/nurses advice Family and friends advised me I have low milk production I got information from the radio,TV,newspa per. 36 % Agree Undecided Disagree Strongly Disagree % FRE Q 2 % TOTA L

FRE Q 16

FRE Q 6

FRE Q 14

48. 6 21. 6 33. 8 25. 7 24. 3 25. 7 18. 9 21. 6 24. 3

21. 6 48. 6 24. 3 36. 5 31. 1 24. 3 36. 5 28. 4 27

8.1

18. 9 17. 6 18. 9 23 21. 6 24. 3 28. 4 23 27

2.7

74

2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

16 25 19 18 19 14 16 18

36 18 27 23 18 27 21 20

8 14 8 15 15 6 11 7

10. 8 18. 9 10. 8 20. 3 20. 3 8.1 14. 9 9.5

13 14 17 16 18 21 17 20

1 3 3 2 4 6 9 9

1.4 4.1 4 2.7 5.4 8.1 12. 1 12. 2

74 74 74 74 74 74 74 74

TABLE 4.23 CHALLENGES OF CHILD WEANING

S/N O Statements Strongly Agree FRE Q 1 2. 3. 4. Low income Lack of informatio n Lack of support or opposition Next pregnancy affected taste or supply of milk Next pregnancy affected my motivation Due to illness and my separation from the baby. 33 14 24 13 % Agree Undecided Disagree Strongly Disagree % FRE Q 4 6 5 3 % TOTAL

FRE Q 19 31 24 37

FRE Q 7 7 9 14

FRE Q 11 16 12 7

44. 6 18. 9 32. 4 17. 6

25. 7 41. 9 32. 4 50

9.4 9.4 12. 2 18. 9

14. 9 21. 6 16. 2 9.5

5. 4 8. 1 6. 8 4. 0

74 74 74 74

5.

19

25. 7

31

41. 9

12. 2

10

13. 5

6. 7

74

6.

18

24. 3

30

40. 5

11

14. 9

12. 2

8. 1

74

TABLE 4.24 SOLUTIONS TO CHALLENGES OF CHILD WEANING

S/NO Statements Strongly Agree FREQ 1 Parents with good income will successfully wean their babies Good health education would assist mothers in weaning their children Family support and absence of criticisms contribute to effective baby weaning Family planning could be done to avoid pregnancy during weaning. Good child spacing would motivate mothers in practicing baby-led weaning Good health and close mother-child relationship could be helpful to achieving delayed weaning 62 % 6 2 Agree FREQ 28 % 2 8 Undecided FREQ 1 % 1 Disagree FREQ 6 % 6 Strongly Disagree FREQ 3 % 3 100 TOTAL

2.

37

3 7

51

5 1

100

3.

44

4 4

30

3 0

13

1 3

13

1 3

NIL

100

4.

30

3 0

45

4 5

15

1 5

100

5.

38

3 8

36

3 6

10

1 0

10

1 0

100

6.

31

3 1

42

4 2

10

1 0

12

1 2

100

TABLE 4.25 WEANING PERIOD AND STATUS OF HEALTH Not yet Time of weaning in months Before 35-6mnths TOTAL After Grand total

My baby took ill during the period % of Yes/No % of Grand total

weaned Y N 12 14

3mnths Y N 14 3

4mnths Y N 5 3

Y 19

N 2

6mnths Y N 25 3

Y 75

N 25

100

16 12

56 14

18. 7 14

12 6. 7 3 5

12 3

25. 3 19

8 2

33. 3 25

12 3

10 0 75

10 0 25

NIL 100

Figure 6 Weaning period and associated diseases

TABLE 4.26 WEANING PERIOD AND TYPE OF SICKNESS Type of sickness

Not yet weaned

Before 3 months

3-4 months

5-6months

After 6 months

TO TA L YE S NO

TOT AL NO

GRA ND TOT AL

YES

NO

YE S

N O

YE S

NO

YE S

NO

YES

Diarrhea Cold/Cough Ear infection Rashes Respiratory infection Baby was admitted to the hospital within the period Persistent fever (Malaria) Malnutrition Loss of weight

10 11 7 8 5 11

16 15 19 18 21 15

10 11 5 6 6 9

7 6 12 11 11 8

5 4 4 3 4 5

3 4 4 5 4 3

14 10 7 6 4 11

7 11 14 15 17 10

13 10 8 6 9 7

15 18 20 22 19 21

52 46 31 29 28 43

48 54 69 71 72 57

100 100 100 100 100 100

12 4 4

14 22 22

6 5 5

11 12 12

0 3 3

8 5 5

8 5 4

13 16 17

3 12 8

25 16 20

29 29 24

71 71 76

100 100 100

The table 4.25 showed that no weaning period was exempted from illness, though of different dimensions. While those who weaned after six(6)months 33%,those within the period of 5-6 months have 25.35 and those between 3-4 months ranking low(6.7%) .Expectedly, in the category of those whose children did not have any ailment, the yet to be weaned have the highest figure of 56%

4.3

RESEARCH HYPOTHESES ANALYSIS AND RESULTS

There are three hypotheses proposed for this research and each one would be tested in this section. 4.3.1 HYPHOTHESIS ONE Ho Childhood disease is not dependent on weaning strategy or period H1 Childhood disease is dependent on weaning strategy or period. To test this hypothesis, responses to questionnaire items in Section I were used as seen in the contingency table below. TABLE 4.27 WEANING PERIOD AND HEALTH
NOT YET WEANED BEFORE 3 MONTHS 3-4 MONTHS 5-6 MONTHS AFTER MONTHS 6 TOTAL X2 Cal.

Baby Ill

took

12

14

19

25

75

15.15

Baby did not took ill

14

25

26

17

21

28

100

Critical Value, CV (0.05) = 9.488 while calculated chi square, X2 cal =18.4. Decision: Since X2 cal = 18.4 > CV (0.05) 9.488, we reject Ho and accept H1. We conclude that childhood disease is dependent on weaning strategy. However going by responses to the question in section C6 that Children weaned early are more prone to diseases than those weaned late, we obtain the following result:

TABLE 4.28 RESPONDENTS PERCEPTION ON WEANING AND DISEASES

Strongly Agree Agree Undecided Disagree Srongly Diasagree Total Mean Score

X2
c al

Sapon Olodo

18 20 38

17 19 36

6 4 10

4 5 9

5 2 7

50 50 100

3.78 4.0

2.01

Here, since X2 cal. of 2.01 is greater than CV CV (0.05) 9.488, we accept that HO and reject H1.The decision therefore is that childhood disease is not dependent on weaning strategy or period. Though these two results are at variance, one can argue that the first deals with experiences of the

respondents, while the latter is more or less subjective as it relates to perception. Also, a marginal statistical difference of 0.22 occurred between the mean score at Olodo market (4.00) and Sapon (3.78). Therefore, one cannot rule out that relationship exists between weaning and childhood diseases.

4.3.2 HYPOTHESIS TWO Ho There is no significant difference in the effects of weaning pattern in children in the rural and urban areas. H1, There is significant difference in the effects of weaning pattern in children in the rural and urban areas. Here we use questionnaire item in section C3 for the two results. The question stated that children weaned early are not as intelligent as those with prolonged breast feeding. TABLE 4.29 WEANING PERIOD AND RURAL/URBAN SETTING
MARKE T STRONGL Y AGREE AGRE E UNDECIDE D DISAGRE E STRONGL Y DISAGREE TOTA L MEAN SCOR E X2 CAL

Sapon Olodo

17 12 26

12 20 29

8 2 9

7 15 20

6 1 6

50 50 100

2.46 2.46

12.9 2

Critical value (0.05) = 9.488 (at 4 degrees of freedom) decision: some x2 cal = 17.04 > CV (0.05) = 0.448, we reject Ho and accept H1. The conclusion therefore is that there is significant difference in the effects of weaning pattern in children in the rural and urban areas. It follows that children in urban areas are more intelligent than their counterparts in the rural areas. 4.3.3 HYPOTHESIS THREE Ho There is no significant relationship between early and abrupt breast feeding cessation and increased infant morbidity and mortality H1 There is significant relationship between early and abrupt breast feeding cessation and increased infant morbidity and mortality. We use questionnaire item in section C4, which stated that children weaned early are more prone to death unlike their counterparts weaned late. We obtain the following contingency table.

TABLE 4.29 WEANING DURATION AND CHILD MORTALITY

S/N Sapon Olodo % of total 8 14 22

A 16 17 33 6 2 8

D 13 12 25 7 5

SA

TOTAL 50 50 100

MEAN SCORE 2.7 3.46

X2 CAL 4.32

12

Critical Value (0.05) = 9.488 Decision: Since X2 cal = 4.32 < CV (0.05) = 9.448, we accept Ho and reject H1. Therefore we conclude that there is no significant relationship between early and abrupt breast feeding cessation and increased infant morbidity and mortality. 4.4 DISCUSSION OF RESULTS The following findings were made in the course of the field work and analysis of results. 4.4.1. WEANING PATTERNS From table 4.11, this study found that majority of respondents who had weaned their babies did so after 6 months, followed by those who weaned between 5-6 months old. This is still in line with the recommendation of the WHO and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) that exclusive breastfeeding should be observed for the first six (6) months of life before being supplemented .WHO (2003) &Gartner et al (2005). Similarly on duration of breast feeding 78.4% affirmed the continuation of breast feeding during weaning and this result is corroborated by the majority of respondents 60.8% who equally disagreed with stoppage of breast feeding as soon as babies are weaned. This is a welcome development. Even, according to Ibn Sina,credited by Gruner(1930), the normal duration of lactation should be two years (which is in line with the Koranic precept).When a supplement is required ,the addition should be made step by step.
Meanwhile, Igbedioh, S.O et al (1995) found that better educated mothers

breast fed for a shorter time or planned to cease breast feeding after a shorter period than mothers who had little education or no formal training. Most mothers fed milk formula which they claimed was used to supplement breast milk and was good for their babies. The most influential factors were the hospital advice and the husbands advice.

In another study,Igbedioh, S.O, et al (1996) showed that the mother's educational level and occupation influenced both time and duration of breast feeding and introduction of milk formula. Three-quarter of the mothers used bottle feeding while a quarter used spoons and cups and the feeds were improperly stored.

On nutritional content of weaning food, table 4.13 revealed the trend starchy food as against proteinous ones was prevalent among the nursing mothers in the rural area. A comparative analysis of the table indicates that the high ranking food
item in Olodo market are Amala (90%), Beans(80.8%) ,Egg (76.5%), Eko (73.3%), Pap(70.7%). Sapon, on the other hand, has honey as the high ranking food (83.3%), Milk (62.5%), and fish (35.3%). Iloveindia.com advanced that a wide range of different flavours and textures could be gradually introduced to children during the weaning process. Perseverance and dinning tricks could be employed to help them enjoy a balanced diet.

Examining the reasons for the choice of weaning food as captured in table 4.15, while time factor is understandable as the most important reason for choosing commercially produced food or infant formula, cheapness (30%) was chosen as the most important reason for choosing home produced food by respondents. One would have expected respondents to pick more nourishing but this is only 20%. An explanation seemed to be found in table 4.8 under monthly family income. It is interesting to note that majority of respondents (49%) have monthly family income of less than N 10,000. Therefore, one may infer that the nutritional quality and quantity of weaning food is a function of the familys purchasing power. Another explanation of this phenomenon could be ignorance of the nutritional value of homemade food. This is corroborated in table 4.21 item 3 where half of the respondents 50% introduced infant formula to their children not because of their busy schedule. Simondon & Simondon F. (1998) gave further insight through their findings that the duration of breastfeeding was not determined by characteristics of the mothers only. Women prolong breastfeeding for undernourished children and reduce the duration for well-nourished children, probably because they are aware of the mortality risk following weaning. EXPERIENCES ON WEANING BABY INTO SOLID FOOD Table 4.16 indicated that majority of respondents considered weaning baby into solid food as Very Easy (21.6%) and Easy (23%) totaling 44.6% as against 40.5% who considered it as either Difficult or Very Difficult .Equally, in table 4.21 item 5, over 70% of respondents indicated that breast feeding up to 4-6 months was very easy and convenient for them. This is in support of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Programme. PARENTAL ATTITUDE ON WEANING Parental attitude on weaning is captured in table 4.17 for respondents in Sapon, Table 4.18 for those in Olodo while the combination is reflected in table 4.19. In table 4.19, the result is that majority of respondents (68%) agreed that their children grow better with bottle feeding, while only 22% either disagreed or strongly disagreed. This might not be unconnected with ignorance or the busy nature of respondents business.

Different professionals have argued that the progressive decline in

breast-feeding, early abrupt weaning, early supplementation with semi-solid and solid foods, the extensive use of artificial milk and baby food, and substitution of the mothers breast by feeding-bottles, were associated with a complex of interrelated factors. This include (1). (2). The rapid development of hygienic dairying and milk technology. Jellife(1968). Urbanization, modernity, womens emancipation and gainful employment outside the home, and psychosocial factors associated with changing image of the female and her biological role. Harfouche(1965). (3). Health professionals inadequately educated in the womanly art of breastfeeding, with misconceptions about human milk and negative attitude towards breast-feeding, particularly obstetricians, pediatricians and midwives (Newton and Newton, 1972; Applebaum, 1970) (4). The compulsory separation, in most hospitals, of mothers and infant from birth until the time of hospital discharge. McBryde (1967). It is also noticed that 59% respondents equally agreed that most children weaned early always indulge in thumb sucking and other habits. In item 3, over 61% of respondents agreed that children weaned early are not as intelligent as those with prolonged breast feeding. Though the mean score of this item (2.5) is low, yet when used to test Hypothesis two, it was found that there is significant difference in the effect of weaning pattern in children in the rural and urban areas. Most respondents (55%) agreed that children weaned early are prone to death unlike those weaned late. The mean score of this item is 3.3 This finding is corroborated by that of Wright& Drewett(2004)that earlier weaning was associated with an increased rate of morbidity. The questionnaire item is C5 was used for comparative analysis of children in different settings and the result is a mean score of 3.2. Meanwhile 48% of respondents consented to the fact that the age mates of their children in other markets were better than theirs as against 39% who either disagreed or strongly disagreed with this notion. . In essence, the weaning pattern could be said to impact on the children being weaned. According to Johnson,E.J et al,the difference has to do with the manner of weaning the babies, either satisfactorily or un satisfactorily .those weaned in an unsatisfactory manner tended to be under weight for their ages.

PARENTAL KNOWLEDGE ON WEANING

Section D of the questionnaire was used here as represented in table 4.20. Most respondents (78%) have a higher perception of the nutritious effect of exclusive breast feeding, claiming that their children would get 100% from breast milk. This is also supported by respondents in item 3 where 57% agreed that children who breast fed for long grew better than those who weaned early. This is corroborated by the findings of Prentice A(1994) that children who were breast-fed for longer than 12 months had significantly higher mean Z scores for weight-for-age, height-for-age, and weight-for height than children breast-fed for shorter periods. The positive association between duration of breast-feeding remained after adjusting the data for 11 potentially confounding factors, including age, sex, father's occupation, mother's education, recent infections, age of introduction of solids, and the variety of the weaning diet at 1 year. However, majority of respondents (52%) did not agree with the notion that early weaning would cause emotional harm to their children. The implication of the foregoing is that even mothers who are aware of the benefits of delayed weaning might still opt for abrupt weaning. This might be due to perceived constraints or difficulty in the process or societal influence According to Jeliffe.(1971),it is not impossible that this category of people are undetermined,failed to plan or did not have support from family and friends all of which are vital to maintaining totalbrestfeeding.This group could be classified as the recently urbanized poor. They follow seeming trend in the society, though relatively poor. While supporting home-made weaning foods due to its nutritious effect,Shazali (1972)posited that it is best to combine commercially- produced with fresh food prepared at home to ensure the widest range of vitamins. But the real problem is that they encourage a culture of convenience eating. The idea of weaning a baby is to introduce family food that everybody could all eat together, not to have each person consuming their own ready meal. WEANING PRACTICE Section E as presented in table 4.21 was used in this discussion. A very large percentage of mothers (80%) claimed to enjoy weaning practice when their children were being weaned. When asked in a different way in item two that the weaning process is too tedious, majority of the respondents (63.5%) equally disagreed. Yet when we compare this result with that of table 4.16 on experiences of mothers in weaning babies into solid food, it was still discovered that the number of those who indicated easy and very easy (44.6%) is greater than those who considered it difficult or very difficult. (40.5%). This shows that the weaning process is not a hell of affairs after all. Table 4.21 further revealed a tie in the percentage of mothers who introduced infant formula at 3 months due to their busy schedule (50%) and otherwise (50%) Even those who claimed insufficiency of breast milk (37.8%) are lesser than those who disagreed (62.2%). This is corroborated by the result in item 5 where majority of respondents (70.3%) indicated that breast feeding up to 4-6 months was very easy and convenient for them. This shows a high level of awareness on the exclusive breast feeding practice. The results of items 6-8 are pointers to the fact that solid food was introduced to the children even before their first year anniversaries (66.2%) while a very low number

(32.8%) indicated that their babies only take breast milk after 1year because of dislike for other foods. Such mothers need to do something about this, as the children cannot be dependent on breast milk for life.

RANKING OF FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR WEANING BY MOTHERS Questionnaires in section F and expressed in table 4.22 were used in ranking the reasons for weaning by mothers. The results are as follows, using the highest percentage of respondents with strongly agree and agree for each item. TABLE 4.30 FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR WEANING S/N STATEMENTS % 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. It was child led My own decision based on family circumstance I decided that the child was ready Due to social pressure Due to babys refusal to feed Doctors/Nurses advice Family and friends advised me I have low milk production I got information from the radio, T.V, newspaper 70.2 70.2 58.1 62.2 55.4 50 55.4 50 51.3 1st 1st 4th 3rd 5th 8th 5th 8th 7th POSITION

The data revealed a tie in the first position between child led weaning and family circumstances(70.2% each) while doctors and nurses advice aswellaslow milk production ranked last with 50%. This showed that counsel from health professionals; do not take precedence over other factors like family circumstances, social pressure, low milk production, advice of family and friends and information from the media, etc. Meanwhile,Ahmad&Isa(1996)highlighted factors affecting weaning practices to include education,customs,beliefs and taboos. This is quite different from the findings of Wright&Drewett(2004),who in their study discovered that the strongest independent predictors of earlier age at weaning were rapid weight gain to age 6 weeks, lower socio-economic status, the parents perception that their baby was hungry and feeding mode. CHALLENGES OF CHILD WEANING

Table 4.23 shows the ranking of some of the challenges of child weaning faced by mothers. TABLE 4.31 CHALLENGES OF CHILD WEANING S/N CHALLENGES % 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Low income Lack of information Lack of support or opposition Next pregnancy affected the or supply of milk Next pregnancy motivation affect my 70.3 60.8 60.8 67.6 67.6 64.8 1st 6th 4th 2nd 2nd 4th RANK

Due to illness and my separation from the baby

Figure 7.Respondents and challenges of Child weaning

The above table and figure revealed that the most important challenges being faced by mothers is low income(70.3%) and not necessarily lack of information(60.5%). Truly majority of them have very low monthly family income of less than N 10,000 per month (see table 4.8).That could have accounted for feeding babies with pap,eko and other less nutritious food within their reach. SOLUTIONS TO THE CHALLENGES OF CHILD WEANING Interestingly, majority of the respondents subscribed to the solutions proffered in section H of the questionnaires and treated in table 4.24. These are good income for parents (90%), good health education (88%), good child spacing (74%), and family planning to avoid pregnancy during weaning (75%) family support (74%) as well as good health and close mother- child relationship (73%). WEANING PERIOD AND ASSOCIATED DISEASES Using questionnaire items section I and reflected in table 4.25, the number of those whose babies took ill at different stages of weaning (75%) is far above those whose babies did not (25%).The result of hypothesis one supports this fact that weaning strategy has relationship with childhood disease. Ranking the various diseases with the period of weaning showed that sickness was prevalent after six months (33.3%), followed by 5-6 months (25.3%), before 3 months (18.7%), not yet weaned (16%) and 3-4 months (6.7%). Diarrhea tops the list of diseases with 52%. Others are cold/cough 46%, persistent fever 29%, ear infection 31%, loss of weight 24%, admission 43%, rashes 29%, respiratory infection 28% and malnutrition 29%. Wright &Drewett (2004) found that babies weaned before three months compared to after four months,had an increased risk of diarrhea. Shembesh & Singh et al (1997) in their study however found no association between the type of feeding and childhood episodes of any illness, including diarrhea or acute respiratory infection. One may reason that the since the diseases occur mostly after the baby had be weaned from breast milk, mothers need to watch not only the quantity but the quality of food intakes by their children during the weaning process. 4.4. SUMMARY OF FINDINGS In summary, the major findings of this study include. Childhood disease is dependent on weaning strategy to some extent. There is significant difference in the effects of weaning pattern in children in the rural and urban areas. Children in the urban areas tend to be more intelligent than their counterparts in the rural setting. There is no significant relationship between early and abrupt breast feeding cassation and increased infant mobility and mortality.

Majority of mothers complied with the WHO recommendation of exclusive breast feeding of children up to 6 months of age. Time factor accounts for the choice of commercially produced/infant formulas by nursing market mothers. Most nursing mothers who chose homemade weaning foods did so due to the relative cheapness. The quality of weaning food introduced to children is a function of the level of family income and proper education on its benefits. Weaning babies into solid food is not problematic for mothers. Most children weaned early do indulge in habits that seemed to substitute for breast milk denial e.g. thumb sucking etc. Most children weaned early could be prone to death than those weaned late. Mothers have a high perception of the nutritious effect of exclusive breast feeding though were influenced by some other factors against the practice. Mothers are not necessarily influenced by health professionals advice on child weaning so much as their disposable income ,readiness/cooperation of the baby, societal pressure, advice from family and friends etc. Major challenges faced by mothers during child weaning include low income, subsequent pregnancies, opposition from family members as well as lack of information. Childhood disease is not peculiar to any period of weaning though it is most prevalent amongst children after 6 months of age.