Objective: To assess the association of weaning practices to the malnutrition in children aged 6-24 months, presenting in Pediatrics OPD of DHQ Teaching Hospital, Sahiwal.
Methodology: This cross sectional study included 120 children from Pediatrics OPD of DHQ Teaching Hospital, Sahiwal, selected by non-probability convenience sampling. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data, which was entered and processed by using SPSS version 24.
Results: Out of 120 children, 30.8% had mild malnutrition, 30.0% moderate and 39.2% severe malnutrition. 52% of these children were males and 51.7% had ages ranging between 6-12 months, while 48.3% of them had ages ranging between 12-24 months. 81.67% of the children had started weaning, while 18.33% had not. 87.5% of the children were breastfed. 50% mothers were illiterate, 36.67% had school level education, while 13.33% of them had college level education. A majority of mothers (89.17%) had monthly family income less than PKR. 20,000/month.
Conclusion: Delayed weaning is an important factor in child malnutrition. Mothers should be educated and trained by Lady Health Workers and through mass media about appropriate weaning practices.
Key words: Anthropometry,Breast feeding, Children, Malnutrition, Mothers, Supplementary feeding, Weaning.
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