The Effect of Breastfeeding Practice and Complementary Feeding on Sudanese Children Nutritional Status

Inappropriate complementary feeding is a major cause of child malnutrition and death. this study determined the effect of breastfeeding practice, complementary feeding knowledge, and feeding habits on Sudanese's children nutrition status. METHODS This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Wad Medani great locality, Gezira state in Sudan. 300 children were surveyed. Data was collected using a pre-tested interviewer administered questionnaire . Data was analyzed using SPSS and Epi-Info. RESULTS (53%) of the children were completed 24 months breast feeding, 28% in 13-18 months,18% in 7-12 months and only 1% were 1-6 months. 58.6 % of children started complementary food at age of four months, 33 % started complementary food at age of six months and 3.4 % at more than six months. 60% of children started with Sudanese tradition food 35% started with mash vegetables and fruits and only 5% started with ready made food. 23% take more than three meals a day, 55% take three meals a day, 22% take two meals. duration of exclusive breastfeeding has significant effect to the mean weight and height of children with p value (P=0.014) and (0.038). Timing of complementary food has effect on children growth. Early introduce food has a bad effect on children growth. Type of complementary food had no significant effect on mean weight, height and BMI of children. Number of meals significantly affected on child height, weight and BMI with p value (p=0.04) and ( p=.001)