A Cross-Sectional Assessment of Caregivers’ Nutritional Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices on Infant Feeding in Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Suboptimal infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices during the first 1,000 days cause irreversible cognitive deficits and childhood morbidity. This descriptive cross-sectional study assessed caregivers' nutritional knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding infant feeding in Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Utilizing a validated interviewer-administered questionnaire (Cronbach's alpha (0.75), data were collected from a multi-stage sample of 422 caregivers of infants aged 0–24 months and analyzed via SPSS version 26.0 using Chi-Square tests and Pearson correlations (p < 0.05). Caregivers exhibited high baseline nutritional knowledge, with 97.4% recognizing exclusive breastfeeding benefits and 100% linking early nutrition to brain development. The overall attitudinal profile was favorable (Aggregate Mean = 3.27 > 2.50 criterion benchmark), demonstrating strong self-efficacy in preparing local foods (x = 4.60) and prioritizing healthcare worker advice (x = 4.41). However, critical misconceptions persisted: caregivers erroneously believed that breast milk alone is insufficient (x = 3.17) and that Bayelsa's hot weather necessitates introducing water before six months (x = 2.57). In practice, handwashing and demand-feeding achieved 100% compliance, but 36.2% of caregivers failed to avoid giving pre-lacteal or extra fluids before six months. The primary operational challenges were economic and socio-cultural, driven by spousal financial deficits (x = 4.43), high market costs of nutritious foods (x = 4.41), and intense domestic pressure from mothers-in-law to give water early (x = 4.26). Inferential tests confirmed that caregiver knowledge and practices are significantly associated with infant health outcomes (p < 0.01). Ultimately, a sharp gap exists between high theoretical knowledge and actual practice. Imparting nutritional education is insufficient without targeted interventions addressing domestic financial dynamics, municipal water utilities, and key family influencers like fathers and grandmothers.

Routine Immunization, Caregivers, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Infant Feeding, Yenagoa LGA, Child Malnutrition.

1. Abas, A. H., Ahmed, A. T., Farah, A. E., & Wedajo, G. T. (2020). Barriers to optimal maternal and child feeding practices in pastoralist areas of Somali Region, Eastern Ethiopia: A qualitative study. Food and Nutrition Sciences, 11(6), 497-510. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Adebowale, S. A., Yusuf, B. A., & Fagbamigbe, F. A. (2019). Child malnutrition in sub-Saharan Africa: A review of the determinants and possible solutions. African Population Studies, 33(1), 4735-4748. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Afolayan, A. T., et al. (2024). Factors associated with caregiver’s food safety knowledge and nutrition status of under-five children in Nigeria. BMC Public Health, 24, 2813. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Agyekum, M. W., Annan, R. A., & Apprey, C. (2022). Nutritional knowledge and practices of mothers/caregivers and its impact on the nutritional status of children aged 6-59 months in Sefwi Wiawso Municipality, Ghana. Heliyon, 8(11), e11364. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 179-211. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Appiah-Bimpong, K., Kaa-Emabong-Cheyuo, Abdul-Mumin, A., Ayanore, M. A., Kubuga, K., & Mogre, V. (2020). Mothers' knowledge and attitudes regarding child feeding recommendations and determinants of adequate diet. BMC Nutrition, 6(1), 67. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Assefa, D. G. (2021). Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice of mothers/caregivers on infant and young child feeding. Archives of Public Health, 79, 170. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Azeez, S., et al. (2019). Mothers’ feeding practices and nutritional status of their infant in a rural community in Kano State. Journal of Medicine in the Tropics, 21(2), 93-99. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action: A social cognitive theory. Prentice-Hall. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Bandura, A. (2004). Health promotion by social cognitive means. Health Education & Behavior, 31(2), 143-164. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Bimpong, K. A., Cheyuo, E. K. E., Abdul-Mumin, A., Ayanore, M. A., Kubuga, C. K., & Mogre, V. (2020). Mothers’ knowledge and attitudes regarding child feeding recommendations, complementary feeding practices and determinants of adequate diet in Northern Ghana. BMC Nutrition, 6(67), 1-11. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Black, M. M., & Aboud, F. E. (2011). Responsive feeding is a theoretical framework of responsive parenting. The Journal of Nutrition, 141(3), 490-494. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Black, R. E., Victora, C. G., Walker, S. P., Bhutta, Z. A., Christian, P., & de Onis, M. (2013). Maternal and child undernutrition and overweight in low-income and middle-income countries. The Lancet, 382(9890), 427-451. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Dattilo, A. M., Carvalho, R. S., Feferbaum, R., Forsyth, S., & Zhao, A. (2020). Hidden realities of infant feeding: Systematic review of qualitative findings from parents. Behavioral Sciences, 10(5), 83. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Edewor, P. A. (2021). Infant feeding practices and nutritional outcomes among mothers in rural Bayelsa communities. Nigerian Journal of Nutrition and Dietetics, 26(2), 115-124. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Erango, M., Kabeta, A., Derseh, L., & Mulugeta, A. (2024). Barriers and facilitators of optimal infant and young child feeding practices during and after common childhood illnesses. Ethiopian Journal of Public Health and Nutrition, 7(1), 11-19. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Ezechi, L. O., Otobo, V., Mbah, P. E., & Ezechi, O. C. (2021). Breastfeeding knowledge and attitudes of Nigerian mothers assessed by the Iowa infant feeding attitudes scale. International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health, 8(12), 5722-5728. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Federal Ministry of Health Nigeria. (2023). National policy on food and nutrition. FMOH, Abuja. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Fasola, O., Abosede, O., & Fasola, F. A. A. (2018). Knowledge, attitude and practice of good nutrition among women of childbearing age in Somolu Local Government, Lagos State. Journal of Public Health in Africa, 9(1), 9-13. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Gizaw, A. T., Sopory, P., & Sudhakar, M. (2023). Barriers and coping responses towards infant and young child feeding practices in rural Ethiopia: A qualitative study. BMJ Open, 13(10), e077008. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. Glanz, K., Rimer, B. K., & Viswanath, K. (2015). Health behavior: Theory, research, and practice (5th ed.). Jossey-Bass. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. Ikobah, J. M., Omoronyia, O., Ikpeme, O., Ekpeyong, N., & Utsu, C. (2020). Attitude towards infant feeding among health workers in Calabar, Nigeria. American Journal of Pediatrics, 6(3), 123-130. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. Launiala, A. (2009). How much can a KAP survey tell us about people's knowledge, attitudes and practices? Some reflections from medical anthropology. Global Health Promotion, 16(1), 47-50. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

24. LIFE Study Group. (2023). A qualitative study on practices, beliefs, and barriers related to infant feeding in India, Malawi, and Tanzania. International Journal of Mixed Methods Research. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

25. Mogale, R. S., Madiba, S., & Chelule, P. K. (2023). Infant and young child feeding knowledge and practices among caregivers of children under 24 months in Seshego Township, South Africa. BMC Public Health, 23, 678. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

26. Nabunya, P., Kabahenda, M., & Mugisha, J. (2022). Optimal complementary feeding practices among caregivers and their children aged 6-23 months in Kisoro District, Uganda. BMC Nutrition, 8(1), 93. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

27. National Population Commission (NPC) [Nigeria] & ICF. (2019). Nigeria demographic and health survey 2018. NPC and ICF, Abuja. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

28. Neji, O. I., Nkemdilim, C. C., & Ferdinand, N. F. (2024). Barriers and enablers to exclusive breastfeeding by mothers in Polokwane, South Africa. Frontiers in Global Women’s Health, 4fx, 120978. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

29. Samuel, F. O., & Ibidapo, E. G. (2020). Complementary feeding practices and associated factors among nursing mothers in Southwestern Nigeria. International Journal of Maternal and Child Health and AIDS, 9(2), 223-233. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

30. Shaker, N., Hussein, K., & Al-Azzawi, S. (2012). Knowledge, attitude, and practices of mothers toward infant and young child feeding in primary health care centres, Erbil City. Kufa Journal for Nursing Sciences, 2(2), 43-52. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

31. Suleiman, S., Gadanya, M. A., Sadiq, A. M., Abubakar, H., & Aliyu, S. M. (2020). Assessment of nutritional status, knowledge, attitude and practice of infant and young child feeding in Kumbotso local government area, Kano State, Nigeria. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 19(8), 444-450. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

32. Toriola, Y. A., Dauda, I., Yahaya, S., Andrew, C. C., & Relobhegbe, O. K. (2023). Knowledge and practice of caregivers on infant and young child feeding in Sabon-Gari Local Government Area, Kaduna State. Global Journal of Health-Related Researches, 5(2), 12-20. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

33. Victora, C. G., de Onis, M., Hallal, P. C., Blossner, M., & Shrimpton, R. (2010). Worldwide timing of growth faltering: Revisiting implications for interventions. Pediatrics, 125(3), e473-e480. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

34. Wariowei, E., & Digitemie, A. (2025). Structural deficits and the operational reality of public secondary school management in Yenagoa Local Government Area. Bayelsa State Journal of Educational Planning, 8(2), 145–159. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

35. World Health Organization. (2008). A guide to developing knowledge, attitude and practice surveys. World Health Organization, Geneva. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

36. World Health Organization. (2013). Infant and young child feeding: Model chapter for textbooks for medical students and allied health professionals. WHO, Geneva. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]