Effect of Nutrition Education on the Feeding Practices of Caregivers of Children Under Five in Katsina State, North West Nigeria

Suboptimal feeding practices among caregivers of children under five years of age are a key contributor to chronic undernutrition in Northern Nigeria. Nutrition education interventions have demonstrated potential in improving caregiver knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours. This study evaluated the effect of a short-term nutrition education intervention on the feeding practices of caregivers of children under five in Katsina State, North West Nigeria. A quasi-experimental pre-test and post-test design was used, with 180 caregivers assigned to an intervention group receiving six weeks of structured nutrition education and a control group receiving no intervention. Caregiver feeding practice scores were measured before and after the intervention using structured questionnaires adapted from UNICEF nutrition guidelines. Data were analysed using paired t-tests and ANCOVA. Results showed significant improvements in caregiver knowledge of recommended feeding practices, dietary diversity, and age-appropriate food introduction in the intervention group compared to the control group. Improvements were most pronounced in areas of exclusive breastfeeding promotion and complementary feeding age. Educational attainment of caregivers moderated the magnitude of change. The study recommends scaling up community-based nutrition education programmes targeting caregivers in North West Nigeria through primary health care centres and community development associations. Keywords: nutrition education, feeding practices, caregivers, children under five, Katsina State