Suppian, Nurul Munirah Mohd
(2013)
Weaning practices and weaning foods of Malays in Kota Bharu, Kelantan.
Other.
Pusat Pengajian Sains Kesihatan, Universiti Sains Malaysia.
(Submitted)
Abstract
Weaning practices is crucial in providing adequate energy and nutrients to infants
when breast milk can no longer acts as the primary source for adequate nutrition.
WHO had recommended mothers to start weaning practices when the infants reach 6
month of age. Weaning foods selection changes over the time. Study regarding
weaning food is important to see selection and preferences of weaning foods by
mothers and their infants. This research aimed to describe weaning practices and
types of weaning foods introduced to infants of Malays mothers in Kota Bharu,
Kelantan. This study was a cross-sectional study conducted among mothers attending
the five selected government health clinics in Kota Bharu, Kelantan by using
purposive sampling. 1 05 respondents who completed a set of pre-tested interviewer administered
questionnaire; 24-hour diet recall form and Food Frequency
Questionnaires (FFQ) were included in the analysis. Findings showed that majority
of 73.3% children started weaning at the age of 6 months. The mean for weaning age
among infants in Kota Bharu is in parallel with WHO's recommended guidelines.
The study also showed that introduction of weaning was primarily influenced by
mother's instinct to start weaning, infants showing signs of hungry and advice from
the surroundings. More than half of respondents (54.3%) chose to wean their
children by using combination of home-made food and commercial food products
rather than focusing only on one type of food. Besides that, this study found that
weaning food selection pattern changes over the age. Older infants were fed
primarily by home-made foods. Meanwhile commercial food product was only
prevalent during the early age of weaning. The main source for weaning information
was obtained from doctors and health practitioners, followed by respondent's mothers, and information on magazines or newspapers. The study showed that in
daily basis, most selected food for weaning is rice, poultry, sea fish, and plain water.
Meanwhile, in weekly basis, most selected foods includes chicken eggs, starchy and
dark-green leafy vegetables, fruits such as bananas, apple and papaya, also biscuits
and local delicacies. Legumes and milk product were seldom selected among
weaning foods. There was no significant difference between maternal education and
age infants started to wean, and no association was found between household income
and selection of weaning food types. Weaning timing of children in Kota Bharu had
good compliance with the recommendation age. Weaning food selection varies
among the children, but only focus on certain food groups.
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |
