KNOWLEDGE, PERCEPTION AND PRACTICES RELATED TO CHILD CARE AMONG ADOLESCENT MOTHERS IN IBADAN METROPOLIS

Abstract

There is an increase in the number of teenage pregnancies and this is a major health concern because of its association with higher morbidity and mortality for both the mother and child. There is a dearth of information on knowledge and practices relating to Child Care (CC) among Adolescent Mothers (AMs) who are usually inexperienced. This study was therefore designed to assess the knowledge, perception and practices related to CC among AMs in Ibadan metropolis, Oyo State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey, which involved a four-stage sampling technique in selecting the LGAs, wards, communities and 382 adolescent mothers aged 15-19 years who were identified with the assistance of community health care workers and community women leaders. Data were collected using a pre-tested semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire included socio-demographic profile, 24-point knowledge scale, questions related to their perception and 36-point scale on CC related practices such as growth monitoring, oral rehydration, breastfeeding, immunisation and hygienic Knowledge scores of <12 points were rated as poor and those ≥ 12 points were rated as good. Practice scores of <18 points were rated as poor while those ≥18 points were rated as good. Date were analysed using descriptive statistic and logistic regression model at 5% level of significance. Age of respondents was 18.5±0.7 years. More than half of the respondents (65.7%) had secondary education. Majority (91.4%) were married and Muslims (61.8%). About half (52.1%) had only one child and 26.4% had unplanned pregnancies. Few (29.1%) received supervision from older women during CC. Majority (80.6%) had poor knowledge about when to start ante-natal care. Majority (87.2%) did not know that exclusive breastfeeding could prevent lactating mothers from pregnancy and 74.1% did not know when a child should first be immunized. About 70.0% of the respondents could not perceive growth monitoring as a necessary strategy for child survival and 86.4% perceived diarrhoea as normal for children during the teething period. Over half (58.4%) did not practise exclusive breastfeeding as they give their babies water to drink before six months. Few (6.3%) washed their hands properly after contact with their children's excreta. Respondents with secondary education were less likely to have poor knowledge than those with primary education (OR:0.2, CI: 0.6-0.9, 95%), Respondents, who received supervision from older women during CC, were less to have poor CC practice than those who did not receive supervision (OR:0.2, CI:0.4-0.7, 95%). Respondents had poor knowledge of the time to start antenatal care, exclusive breastfeeding and immunisation. Also their poor perceptions and child care related practices such as growth monitoring, oral rehydration and hygiene have potentials for compromising the health of their children. Health education on child care at primary health care centres is suggested to improve Adolescent mothers' knowledge and practices on child care.