WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

Dhanraj Bairwa*, Kastoor Chand Meghwal and Dr. Sunita Thakur

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Complementary feeding is an essential aspect of infant nutrition that involves the introduction of semi-solid or solid foods alongside breastfeeding to meet the growing nutritional needs of the infant. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of B.Sc. Nursing students in Kota, Rajasthan, regarding complementary feeding practices. Methods: A descriptive survey approach was employed with a non-experimental, cross-sectional design. The sample included 70 nursing students from selected colleges in Kota. Data were collected through a validated structured questionnaire, and analysis was performed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including the Chi-square test to identify associations between knowledge levels and socio-demographic variables. Result: The results revealed that 62.85% of students had inadequate knowledge of complementary feeding practices, with only 14.28% demonstrating adequate knowledge. Significant associations were found between knowledge levels and variables such as age, type of family, monthly family income, and previous sources of information. Students from joint families and higher-income households exhibited better understanding. Conclusion: In conclusion, the findings highlight the critical need for targeted educational interventions to improve nursing students' knowledge of complementary feeding. Enhancing curricula to include more comprehensive training in this area could lead to better counseling and educational outreach by future healthcare providers, potentially reducing infant malnutrition rates in the region.

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