CHAPTER FOURRESULTS, ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS 4.1. INTRODUCTION The concern of this chapter is to present the data collected from the field, analyse them and also discuss the findings, after the research hypotheses would have been tested. As stated earlier in chapter three a hundred (100) nursing market women were selected as sample elements. Fifty questionnaires each were distributed to Sapon and Olodo markets respectively and all were returned. It is pertinent to mention that all the data were analysed manually. 4.2 RESEACH HYPOTHESIS ANALYSIS AND RESULTS 4.2.1 DATA PRESENTATION TABLE 4.1 DISTRIBUTIONS OF RESPONDENTS BY MARKETS SAPON MARKET (URBAN) OLODO MARKET (RURAL) TOTAL NO OF RESPONDENTS 50 50 100 % OF TOTAL 50 50 100
There are three hypotheses proposed for this research and each one
would be tested in this section.
4.3.1 HYPHOTHESIS ONE
Ho Childhood disease is not dependent on weaning strategy or period
H1 Childhood disease is dependent on weaning strategy or period.To test this hypothesis, responses to questionnaire items in Section I were used as seen
in the contingency table below.
TABLE 4.27 WEANING PERIOD AND HEALTH
NOT YET
WEANED
BEFORE 3
MONTHS
3-4
MONTHS
5-6
MONTHS
AFTER 6
MONTHS
TOTAL X2
Cal.
Baby took
Ill
12 14 5 19 25 75 15.15
Baby did nottook ill
14 3 3 2 3 25
26 17 8 21 28 100
Critical Value, CV (0.05) = 9.488 while calculated chi square, X2 cal =18.4.
Decision: Since X2 cal = 18.4 > CV (0.05) 9.488, we reject Ho and accept H1. We
conclude that childhood disease is dependent on weaning strategy.
However going by responses to the question in section C6 that “Children weaned early
are more prone to diseases than those weaned late, we obtain the following result:
TABLE 4.28 RESPONDENTS PERCEPTION ON WEANING AND DISEASESStrongly
Agree
Agree Undecided Disagree Srongly
Diasagree
Total Mean
Score
X2
cal
Sapon 18 17 6 4 5 50 3.78 2.01
Olodo 20 19 4 5 2 50 4.0
38 36 10 9 7 100
Here, since X2 cal. of 2.01 is greater than CV CV (0.05) 9.488, we accept that
HO and reject H1.The decision therefore is that childhood disease is not
dependent on weaning strategy or period. Though these two results are at
variance, one can argue that the first deals with experiences of the
Since X2 cal = 4.32 < CV (0.05) = 9.448, we accept Ho and reject H1. Therefore we
conclude that there is no significant relationship between early and abrupt breast
feeding cessation and increased infant morbidity and mortality.
4.4 DISCUSSION OF RESULTS
The following findings were made in the course of the field work and analysis of
results.
4.4.1. WEANING PATTERNS
From table 4.11, this study found that majority of respondents who had weaned
their babies did so after 6 months, followed by those who weaned between 5-6 months
old. This is still in line with the recommendation of the WHO and American Academy
of Pediatrics (AAP) that exclusive breastfeeding should be observed for the first six (6)
months of life before being supplemented .WHO (2003) &Gartner et al (2005).Similarly on duration of breast feeding 78.4% affirmed the continuation of
breast feeding during weaning and this result is corroborated by the majority of
respondents 60.8% who equally disagreed with stoppage of breast feeding as soon as
babies are weaned. This is a welcome development. Even, according to Ibn
Sina,credited by Gruner(1930), the normal duration of lactation should be
two years (which is in line with the Koranic precept).When a
supplement is required ,the addition should be made step by step.
Meanwhile, Igbedioh, S.O et al (1995) found that better educated mothers’
breast fed for a shorter time or planned to cease breast feeding after a shorter periodthan mothers who had little education or no formal training. Most mothers fed milk
formula which they claimed was used to supplement breast milk and was good for their
babies. The most influential factors were the hospital advice and the husband’s advice.
In another study,Igbedioh, S.O, et al (1996) showed that the mother's educational level
and occupation influenced both time and duration of breast feeding and introduction of
milk formula. Three-quarter of the mothers used bottle feeding while a quarter used
spoons and cups and the feeds were improperly stored.
On nutritional content of weaning food, table 4.13 revealed the trend starchy
food as against proteinous ones was prevalent among the nursing mothers in the rural
area. A comparative analysis of the table indicates that the high ranking fooditem in Olodo market are Amala (90%), Beans(80.8%) ,Egg (76.5%), Eko(73.3%), Pap(70.7%). Sapon, on the other hand, has honey as the high
ranking food (83.3%), Milk (62.5%), and fish (35.3%).
Iloveindia.com advanced that a wide range of different flavours and
textures could be gradually introduced to children during the weaning
process. Perseverance and dinning tricks could be employed to help them
enjoy a balanced diet.
Examining the reasons for the choice of weaning food as captured in table 4.15,
while time factor is understandable as the most important reason for choosing
commercially produced food or infant formula, cheapness (30%) was chosen as the
most important reason for choosing home produced food by respondents. One wouldhave expected respondents to pick more nourishing but this is only 20%.
An explanation seemed to be found in table 4.8 under monthly family income. It
is interesting to note that majority of respondents (49%) have monthly family income
of less than N 10,000. Therefore, one may infer that the nutritional quality and quantity
of weaning food is a function of the family’s purchasing power.
Another explanation of this phenomenon could be ignorance of the nutritional
value of homemade food. This is corroborated in table 4.21 item 3 where half of the
respondents 50% introduced infant formula to their children not because of their busy
schedule.
Simondon & Simondon F. (1998) gave further insight through their findingsthat the duration of breastfeeding was not determined by characteristics of the mothers
only. Women prolong breastfeeding for undernourished children and reduce the
duration for well-nourished children, probably because they are aware of the mortality
risk following weaning.
EXPERIENCES ON WEANING BABY INTO SOLID FOOD
Table 4.16 indicated that majority of respondents considered weaning baby into
solid food as Very Easy (21.6%) and Easy (23%) totaling 44.6% as against 40.5% who
considered it as either Difficult or Very Difficult .Equally, in table 4.21 item 5, over
70% of respondents indicated that breast feeding up to 4-6 months was very easy andconvenient for them.
This is in support of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Programme.
PARENTAL ATTITUDE ON WEANING
Parental attitude on weaning is captured in table 4.17 for respondents in Sapon,
Table 4.18 for those in Olodo while the combination is reflected in table 4.19.
In table 4.19, the result is that majority of respondents (68%) agreed that their
children grow better with bottle feeding, while only 22% either disagreed or strongly
disagreed. This might not be unconnected with ignorance or the busy nature of
Different professionals have argued that the progressive decline in
breast-feeding, early abrupt weaning, early supplementation with
semi-solid and solid foods, the extensive use of artificial milk and
baby food, and substitution of the mother’s breast by feeding-bottles,
were associated with a complex of interrelated factors. This include
(1). The rapid development of hygienic dairying and milk technology. Jellife(1968).
(2). Urbanization, modernity, women’s emancipation and gainful employment
outside the home, and psychosocial factors associated with changing “image” of
the female and her biological role. Harfouche(1965).
(3). Health professionals inadequately educated in the “womanly art” of breast-
feeding, with misconceptions about human milk and negative attitude towards
breast-feeding, particularly obstetricians, pediatricians and midwives (Newton
and Newton, 1972; Applebaum, 1970)
(4). The compulsory separation, in most hospitals, of mothers and infant from birth
until the time of hospital discharge. McBryde (1967).
It is also noticed that 59% respondents equally agreed that most children weanedearly always indulge in thumb sucking and other habits.
In item 3, over 61% of respondents agreed that children weaned early are not as
intelligent as those with prolonged breast feeding. Though the mean score of this item
(2.5) is low, yet when used to test Hypothesis two, it was found that there is significant
difference in the effect of weaning pattern in children in the rural and urban areas.
Most respondents (55%) agreed that children weaned early are prone to death unlike
those weaned late. The mean score of this item is 3.3
This finding is corroborated by that of Wright& Drewett(2004)that earlier weaning was
associated with an increased rate of morbidity.
The questionnaire item is C5 was used for comparative analysis of children indifferent settings and the result is a mean score of 3.2. Meanwhile 48% of respondents
consented to the fact that the age mates of their children in other markets were better
than theirs as against 39% who either disagreed or strongly disagreed with this notion.
.
In essence, the weaning pattern could be said to impact on the children being
weaned. According to Johnson,E.J et al,the difference has to do with the manner of
weaning the babies, either satisfactorily or un satisfactorily .those weaned in an
unsatisfactory manner tended to be under weight for their ages.
Section D of the questionnaire was used here as represented in table 4.20. Most
respondents (78%) have a higher perception of the nutritious effect of exclusive breast
feeding, claiming that their children would get 100% from breast milk. This is also
supported by respondents in item 3 where 57% agreed that children who breast fed for
long grew better than those who weaned early.
This is corroborated by the findings of Prentice A(1994) that childrenwho were breast-fed for longer than 12 months had significantly higher mean Z scores
for weight-for-age, height-for-age, and weight-for height than children breast-fed for
shorter periods. The positive association between duration of breast-feeding remained
after adjusting the data for 11 potentially confounding factors, including age, sex,
father's occupation, mother's education, recent infections, age of introduction of solids,
and the variety of the weaning diet at 1 year.
However, majority of respondents (52%) did not agree with the notion that early
weaning would cause emotional harm to their children.
The implication of the foregoing is that even mothers who are aware of the
benefits of delayed weaning might still opt for abrupt weaning. This might be due to perceived constraints or difficulty in the process or societal influence
According to Jeliffe.(1971),it is not impossible that this category of people are
undetermined,failed to plan or did not have support from family and friends all of
which are vital to maintaining totalbrestfeeding.This group could be classified as the
recently urbanized poor. They follow seeming trend in the society, though relatively
poor.
While supporting home-made weaning foods due to its nutritious effect,Shazali
(1972)posited that it is best to combine commercially- produced with fresh food
prepared at home to ensure the widest range of vitamins. But the real problem is thatthey encourage a culture of convenience eating. The idea of weaning a baby is to
introduce family food that everybody could all eat together, not to have each person
consuming their own ready meal.
WEANING PRACTICE
Section E as presented in table 4.21 was used in this discussion. A very large
percentage of mothers (80%) claimed to enjoy weaning practice when their children
were being weaned. When asked in a different way in item two that the weaning
process is too tedious, majority of the respondents (63.5%) equally disagreed. Yet
when we compare this result with that of table 4.16 on experiences of mothers in
weaning babies into solid food, it was still discovered that the number of those who
indicated easy and very easy (44.6%) is greater than those who considered it difficult
or very difficult. (40.5%).
This shows that the weaning process is not a hell of affairs after all. Table 4.21
further revealed a tie in the percentage of mothers who introduced infant formula at 3
months due to their busy schedule (50%) and otherwise (50%) Even those who claimed
insufficiency of breast milk (37.8%) are lesser than those who disagreed (62.2%). This
is corroborated by the result in item 5 where majority of respondents (70.3%) indicated
that breast feeding up to 4-6 months was very easy and convenient for them.
This shows a high level of awareness on the exclusive breast feeding practice.
The results of items 6-8 are pointers to the fact that solid food was introduced to thechildren even before their first year anniversaries (66.2%) while a very low number
The above table and figure revealed that the most important challenges being faced by
mothers is low income(70.3%) and not necessarily lack of information(60.5%). Truly
majority of them have very low monthly family income of less than N 10,000 per
month (see table 4.8).That could have accounted for feeding babies with pap,eko and
other less nutritious food within their reach.
SOLUTIONS TO THE CHALLENGES OF CHILD WEANING
Interestingly, majority of the respondents subscribed to the solutions proffered
in section H of the questionnaires and treated in table 4.24.
These are good income for parents (90%), good health education (88%), good child
spacing (74%), and family planning to avoid pregnancy during weaning (75%) family
support (74%) as well as good health and close mother- child relationship (73%).
WEANING PERIOD AND ASSOCIATED DISEASES
Using questionnaire items section I and reflected in table 4.25, the number of
those whose babies took ill at different stages of weaning (75%) is far above those
whose babies did not (25%).The result of hypothesis one supports this fact that
weaning strategy has relationship with childhood disease.
Ranking the various diseases with the period of weaning showed that sickness
was prevalent after six months (33.3%), followed by 5-6 months (25.3%), before 3
months (18.7%), not yet weaned (16%) and 3-4 months (6.7%).
Diarrhea tops the list of diseases with 52%. Others are cold/cough 46%, persistent fever 29%, ear infection 31%, loss of weight 24%, admission 43%, rashes
29%, respiratory infection 28% and malnutrition 29%.
Wright &Drewett (2004) found that babies weaned before three months compared
to after four months,had an increased risk of diarrhea.
Shembesh & Singh et al (1997) in their study however found no association
between the type of feeding and childhood episodes of any illness, including diarrhea or
acute respiratory infection.
One may reason that the since the diseases occur mostly after the baby had be
weaned from breast milk, mothers need to watch not only the quantity but the quality
of food intakes by their children during the weaning process.
4.4. SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
In summary, the major findings of this study include.
• Childhood disease is dependent on weaning strategy to some extent.
• There is significant difference in the effects of weaning pattern in children in the
rural and urban areas. Children in the urban areas tend to be more intelligent
than their counterparts in the rural setting.
• There is no significant relationship between early and abrupt breast feeding
cassation and increased infant mobility and mortality.
