الفهرس 
AcknoledgmentOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Background: Infant feeding is an important determinant of child growth and development. The practice of weaning and exclusive breastfeeding over the years is declining despite efforts at all levels to improve it; and with globalization there is concern of possible drift in the traditional weaning practices among Nigerian mothers. Aim: This study, aims to assess the socio-cultural factors affecting Nigerian mothers’ weaning practice. Subject and Method: A cross sectional design was conducted on 308 mothers attending at 15 maternal and child health centers in Birnin Kudu Local Government, Nigeria during the researcher visits. Five structured interviews were used to assess sociodemograhic and economic characteristics, knowledge, subjective practice, attitude and sociocultural factors affecting mothers weaning practice. Results: Less than two thirds (62.3%) of the studied mothers had poor knowledge score, less than one third (28.2) of them had good knowledge score. More than three fourths (78.9%) of the studied mothers had improper subjective practice and less than one fourth (21.1%) of them had proper subjective practice. Less than half (46.4%) of them reported positive attitude toward weaning and more than one third (36.7%) of the studied mothers reported negative attitude towards child separation from the mother during complete weaning. Less than half (47.1%) of the studied mothers denied their children eating egg as part of their taboo practice. There was a statistically significant association between sociocultural factors and mothers’ subjective weaning practice. Conclusion: Mothers’ knowledge regarding weaning was poor and subjective practice was improper. Majority of them were not aware of the current recommendations of weaning practice. Additionally, there was a statistically significant association between sociocultural factors and mothers’ subjective weaning practice. Recommendations: Provide public health educations campaigns to promote optimal weaning practices, especially in woman within the reproductive age group. Health education program should be conducted to enlighten mothers on the effect of socio cultural factors on breastfeeding and weaning practice.