Assessment of Child Care Knowledge and Practices Among Nursing Mothers in Gombe State

This study assesses child care knowledge and practices among nursing mothers in Gombe State, North East Nigeria. Appropriate child care knowledge, encompassing immunisation awareness, hygiene practices, growth monitoring, and responsive feeding, is essential for reducing infant morbidity and mortality. Using a descriptive survey design, the study targets 270 nursing mothers attending child welfare clinics in Gombe and Kaltungo local government areas. Data were collected via a structured questionnaire. Objectives include assessing the level of child care knowledge among nursing mothers, examining their child care practices, and identifying sociodemographic factors associated with knowledge and practice levels. Recent studies from North East Nigeria document suboptimal child care practices among mothers with limited formal education and restricted access to health information. Data were analysed using mean scores, chi-square, and Pearson correlation. The Knowledge-Attitude-Practice Model underpins the study, exploring the interrelationships among these three dimensions in shaping child care behaviour. Findings are expected to reveal positive correlations between formal education and child care knowledge, with significant gaps in practice despite adequate awareness. Recommendations target the Gombe State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Home Economics educators, and community health workers to strengthen mother-centred child care training programmes. Keywords: child care, nursing mothers, infant health, knowledge and practice, Gombe State.