ABSTRACT:

Background: Breastfeeding is a natural way of feeding an infant, provides the best possible nutrition to the young child, reduces the incidence of infections, protects the child from allergies and it is essential for optimal physical and mental development. Complementary feeding is required when breast milk alone is no longer sufficient to meet the nutritional requirements of the child. This study aims at assessing the knowledge and awareness of breastfeeding and complementary feeding among women if they understand that a child has to be exclusively breastfed and given other foods at the right time.

Methodology: This was a cross sectional study which involved adult women in selected health care facilities in Mwanza region. To assess the knowledge and awareness of breastfeeding and complementary feeding, a total of 358 women were interviewed and questionnaires were used to collect data. Data was then analyzed using SPSS software version 2020.

Results: A total of 358 respondents were invovled in the study. All were aware of the importance of breastfeeding but only 328(91.62%) were aware and understood the importance of complementary feeding Also majority, 312(87.15%) of the respondents were aware that breastfeeding should start immediately after birth, and 300(87.8%) know that colostrum is important. Futhermore 315(87.99%) are aware of exclusive breastfeeding and 200(55.87%) knew that overall breastfeeding duration recommended by WHO is two years. A majority of 316(88.27%) knew that a mother should continue to breastfeed after introducing complementary feeding.

Conclusion and Recommendation: Knowledge and awareness of breastfeeding and complementary feeeding among adult women in selected health care facilities in Mwanza is defective and misconceptions were noted. This situation is alarming regarding child health and there is need to educate women especially about the beneficial and health curing effects of breastfeeding and complementary feeding.