Analysis of Infants, Young Children, and Women of Reproductive Age Feeding Profile in Selected Locations in 2022: A Case Study of Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa States, Nigeria

Abstract

In the study, we assessed the nutritional profile of Infants and Women of Reproductive Age in selected locations in Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa States. And based on the results, we found that about 56% and 54% of the infants in Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa states, respectively, were initiated into early breastfeeding within the first 1 hour after birth. Only 33.4% and 46.4% of children under six months old in Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa states, respectively, are currently being excessively breastfed. About 92.3% and 83.2% of infants received soft/semi-solid foods and were initiated on complementary feeding in Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa states, respectively. Only 52.6% and 22.1% of children in the age category of (6-23.9) months met the minimum Dietary Diversity in Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa states, respectively. About 31.1% and 45.2% of children were found not to have met the minimum requirement for dietary diversity and received food from only 1-4 food groups in Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa States, respectively. Only 40.9% of (6-23.9) months old children in Akwa Ibom State and 47.7% in Bayelsa State had adequate meal frequency for their age group during the survey period. In Akwa Ibom State, about 72.9% of the sampled children received a minimum acceptable diet, while in Bayelsa State, only 48.5% received one. The majority of the women of childbearing age in the two states, Akwa Ibom: 58.5% and Bayelsa: 62.0%, hold secondary school certificates, while about 4.0% and 6.4% respectively did not attend any school at all. The prevalence of acute malnutrition based on Mid-upper-Arm Circumference (MUAC) (< 190 mm) among women (15-49 years in Akwa Ibom State is 0.5% and 2.0% in Bayelsa State. However, the 2.0% acute malnutrition prevalence for women in Bayelsa State is critical and of great concern. The percentage of women at risk of acute malnutrition based on the MUAC cut-off (>= 190 mm and <= 230 mm) is currently 11.8% in Akwa Ibom and 12.2% in Bayelsa. About 20.5% of pregnant women in Akwa Ibom and 5.6% in Bayelsa are at risk of malnutrition. In AKS: 10.6% and BYS: 15.6% of women who are lactating are at risk of malnutrition, while about 30.8% of pregnant and lactating women in Akwa Ibom alone are at risk of malnutrition.