Exploring Barriers to Optimal Complementary Feeding Practices Among Mothers of Children Aged 6 to 24 Months in Yola, Adamawa State, North East Nigeria

Optimal complementary feeding practices are a critical determinant of child nutritional status and development during the six-to-twenty-four-month window. In Yola, Adamawa State, North East Nigeria, suboptimal complementary feeding is common, yet the barriers operating at individual, household, and community levels have not been comprehensively examined. This study explored barriers to optimal complementary feeding practices among mothers of children aged six to twenty-four months in Yola, Adamawa State. A mixed-methods design was employed, combining a cross-sectional survey of 240 mothers with ten focus group discussions and eight key informant interviews with community leaders and healthcare providers. Complementary feeding was assessed using WHO core indicators including minimum dietary diversity, minimum meal frequency, and minimum acceptable diet. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Results showed that minimum acceptable diet was achieved by only 28 percent of children. Dominant barriers included low maternal food and nutrition literacy, cultural food restrictions limiting protein-rich food provision to children, household poverty, and inadequate nutrition counselling at health facilities. Social norms around early water introduction and restricted child feeding autonomy also constrained dietary diversity. Health worker knowledge gaps were noted as a systemic barrier. The study recommends multi-level interventions combining caregiver education, health worker training, community norm change communication, and economic empowerment for mothers in Adamawa State. Keywords: complementary feeding, barriers, mothers, Adamawa State, North East Nigeria