Child Care Practices among Mothers in the Northern Region: A Study of Some Mothers of Zujung, A Suburb of Tamale
- November 9, 2019
- Posted by: RSIS
- Categories: IJRISS, Social Science
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume III, Issue X, October 2019 | ISSN 2454–6186
Adam Bawa Yussif (Ph.D)
Senior Lecturer, Tamale Technical University, Ghana
Abstract: – This study is about child care practices among mothers in the northern region with specific reference to mothers of Zujung (a suburb of Tamale, the northern regional capital). Using a mainly qualitative method of research, the study examined the extent to which the economic activities of the mothers in the Zujung community, affects the care for their children. The study also examined the breastfeeding patterns of the mothers, their complementary feeding practices as well as the health-seeking behaviours of the mothers when their children are sick. Among others, the study found that the child care practices of the mothers are compromised by the demands of their economic engagements. In addition, child care is informed by cultural beliefs and practices in spite of all the prescriptions of formal care. The study therefore concludes that the child care practices of the mothers of the Zujung community cannot be described in optimum terms. Some recommendations are made as a result of the findings, suggesting a way forward for the vulnerable children of Zujung as well as other children of similar socio-economic background in the northern region and other areas of Ghana.
Key Words: Child care, practices, breastfeeding, Complementary feeding, health-seeking
I. INTRODUCTION
The critical influence mothers play in the care of the child’s nutrition, health, and development has received increasing attention in the last decade. The role of care in feeding and for that matter the role of mothers in the provision of care is very relevant. The meaning of mothers, mothering and motherhood as well as the forms of economic labour in which women are typically involved vary overtime, by country and by cultural background. However, work and family research formally was focused on western women (Mokomane, 2013).
