Childhood feeding practice in north Ethiopia.

Feeding practices among 1464 under fives were surveyed in the Gondar Zuria district of northern Ethiopia from July 1993 to May 1994. 99.8% of the children in the study area were breast fed initially, 5% discontinued before six months of age and 15% before the end of their first year of life. The mean duration of breast feeding was 21.97 +/- 10.15 months. Supplementary diet was initiated between 4-6 months in 42.4% of the children while in 16% it was started beyond the first year of life. The mean age of starting supplementary feeding was 9.9 +/- 6.5 months. The most frequently used supplementary diet was the staple diet which has a low nutritious value. The study revealed that initiation of breast feeding is not a problem in Ethiopia and the major areas of concern are the early termination of breast feeding, the delay in initiation of supplementary diet and the low quality of supplementary diet. Proper and sustained education of parents on feeding infants and children needs continuing emphasis.