COMPLIMENTARY FEEDING PRACTICE AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF CHILDREN 6 -12 MONTHS AT SPECIALIST HOSPITAL, BAUCHI

ABSTRACT Malnutrition among infants and young children remains a major public health problem in Nigeria, especially in the northern region where inappropriate complementary feeding practices persist. This study assessed complementary feeding practices and the nutritional status of children aged 6–23 months attending the paediatric clinic of Specialist Hospital, Bauchi. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed. Data were collected from 112 mother–child pairs using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and anthropometric measurements. Weight, height/length, and age were recorded and analyzed using WHO Anthro software to generate z-scores for weight-for-age (WAZ), height-for-age (HAZ), and weight-for-height (WHZ). Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed using SPSS version 26, with significance set at p < 0.05. Findings revealed that while most caregivers initiated complementary feeding at six months, dietary diversity was generally poor, with fewer than half of the children consuming foods from at least four food groups. The prevalence of underweight, stunting, and wasting was 32.1%, 35.3%, and 28.8% respectively. Severe forms (< –3SD) were observed in 10.7%, 22.5%, and 14.4% of children, respectively. Male children were more affected than females across all indicators. A significant association was observed between feeding frequency, maternal education, and the child’s nutritional status (p < 0.05). The study concludes that malnutrition remains a serious concern among children aged 6–23 months in Bauchi, largely driven by suboptimal complementary feeding and socioeconomic constraints. It recommends intensified nutrition education for mothers, promotion of locally available nutrient-dense complementary foods, and community-based support programs to improve feeding practices and child growth outcomes.