Abstract:
In most developed countries, the health of the new born and infants are taken very seriously. Even dough there is tremendous effort to reduce infant mortality in Ghana yet, child mortality still remain high. Hence, the need for investigating the common child survival practices which contribute to child deaths. The objective of this study was to investigate common child survival practices including timing of the initiation of breastfeeding, complementary feeding practices, completeness of immunization and knowledge and practices related to childhood illnesses among mothers of children under one year of age in Ashaiman.
The study was conducted using a quantitative research approach and data was analyzed with Stata statistical software and microsoft Excel. A simple random sampling technique was used to select the respondents. In all 400 mothers were sampled and administered with closed and open ended questions.
Result showed that about 53% of mothers breastfed their infants immediately after birth. Only about 30.5% introduce complementary food after the child attains six months; mothers about 88% however did well by sending their infants for immunization; while in assessing knowledge and practices in relation to childhood illnesses, mothers about 43.9% provided self medication to their children. It was also found out that some mothers do not use insecticide treated nets (ITNs) for their children.
In conclusion common child survival practices in relation to initiation of breastfeeding (breast milk) and immunization met World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations whiles introduction of complementary foods and knowledge and practices related to childhood illnesses do not very much meet the W.H.O standard of recommendations. Findings will inform the municipal directorates to put measures in place to secure the health of infants in the municipality.
