The Knowledge and Practice of Forced-Feeding among Mothers and Caregivers in Enugu, South East Nigeria

Background: According to the Convention of the Right of a Child, every infants and child has the right to good nutrition. In delivery of good nutrition to the child, it is however important to encourage a child to eat in a responsive-feeding (RF) rather than forced-feeding (FF) manner. Forced-feeding is a common practice in developing countries and despite the dangers associated with it, many mothers are still driven by various reasons in justifying its practice.

Objectives: The study aimed to determine the knowledge and practice of forced-feeding among mothers and caregivers in Enugu, South East Nigeria. It also assessed the association between socio-demographic factors and the practice of forced-feeding.

Methods: This hospital based cross-sectional study used purposive sampling method to enroll one hundred and thirty-seven mothers and caregiver in Enugu state. Structured questionnaires were used in data collection. Chi-square and fisher’s exact test were used in data analysis.

Results: Majority of the respondents were aware of practice of forced-feeding (80.3%) and its adverse-effects (46.0%). Only nine (6.6%) respondents got this information from a health worker. Force-feeding children was commonest in the 1 to 5 years age bracket. Significantly more respondents who were force-fed as children (83.0%) engaged in the practice of forced-feeding compared to those not force-fed (61.5%) as children. There was no association between socio-demographic factors and forced-feeding practice. Weight related reasons (60.4%) and administration of medication (12.0%) were the commonest reasons for force-feeding a child while forcing food into the mouth (29.1%), distraction (21.8%) and nose-pinching (19.1%) were the commonest methods employed in the practice of forced-feeding. Coughing and difficulty in breathing were the commonest perceived (49.5% and 18.8%) and experienced (33.3% and 36.1%) adverse-effects of forced-feeding in children of respondents.

Conclusion: The prevalence of forced-feeding among mothers and caregivers was high. This practice was particularly more among mothers in the higher socio-demographic strata. Relevant government agencies should be encouraged to formulate and enforce policies that discourage force-feeding. In addition, there is need for intensification of campaigns against the practice among mothers and caregivers.