Mbhatsani, H, V,Ramabulana-Mhlongo, A.Tshitamba, Thabelo2026-06-222026-06-222026-05-19Tshitamba, T. 2026. The perceptions of mothers or caregivers on the use of indigenous food for complementary feeding of infants from 6 to 12 months. . .https://univendspace.univen.ac.za/handle/11602/3284M.Sc. in NutritionDepartment of Human Nutrition and DietecticsComplementary feeding remains an important factor in the infant’s nutritional status and begins at 6 to 12 months, with mothers or caregivers playing a significant role. The age range of 6 to 12 months is crucial for the child’s growth and development as new and solid foods are introduced. The types of food given to the child for complementary feeding depend heavily on mothers' and caregivers' perceptions of various foods. This research used a qualitative approach and exploratory design to explore the perceptions of mothers and caregivers on the use of indigenous foods for complementary feeding of infants from 6 to 12 months and to identify the types and availability of food which are used. Non-probability snowball sampling was used to recruit participants in the study village. The target population was mothers and caregivers, and data was collected from 17 mothers from the households of Waterval village, located in the Hlanganani district in Limpopo, South Africa. Data was analysed using the thematic analysis steps (Transcription, Checking and editing, Analysis and interpretation, Generalisation, and Verification), and the results showed that participants obtain indigenous food through growing them, as weeds from the backyards and by purchasing them from the local markets, and they use some of these indigenous foods for complementary feeding. The types of indigenous foods used for complementary feeding depend on the age and developmental stage of infants from 6 to 8 months. Most mothers and caregivers expressed a strong positive perception of the use of indigenous foods for complementary feeding, as evidenced by their knowledge of their benefits. The identified benefits included good health, cost-effectiveness, ease of preparation, and possible therapeutic effects for some common infant conditions.1 online resource (x, 90 leaves)enUniversity of VendaPerceptionsUCTDComplementary feedingIndigenousInfantsMalnutritionDissertationTshitamba T. The perceptions of mothers or caregivers on the use of indigenous food for complementary feeding of infants from 6 to 12 months. []. , 2026 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from:Tshitamba, T. (2026). <i>The perceptions of mothers or caregivers on the use of indigenous food for complementary feeding of infants from 6 to 12 months</i>. (). . Retrieved fromTshitamba, Thabelo. <i>"The perceptions of mothers or caregivers on the use of indigenous food for complementary feeding of infants from 6 to 12 months."</i> ., , 2026.TY - Dissertation AU - Tshitamba, Thabelo AB - Complementary feeding remains an important factor in the infant’s nutritional status and begins at 6 to 12 months, with mothers or caregivers playing a significant role. The age range of 6 to 12 months is crucial for the child’s growth and development as new and solid foods are introduced. The types of food given to the child for complementary feeding depend heavily on mothers' and caregivers' perceptions of various foods. This research used a qualitative approach and exploratory design to explore the perceptions of mothers and caregivers on the use of indigenous foods for complementary feeding of infants from 6 to 12 months and to identify the types and availability of food which are used. Non-probability snowball sampling was used to recruit participants in the study village. The target population was mothers and caregivers, and data was collected from 17 mothers from the households of Waterval village, located in the Hlanganani district in Limpopo, South Africa. Data was analysed using the thematic analysis steps (Transcription, Checking and editing, Analysis and interpretation, Generalisation, and Verification), and the results showed that participants obtain indigenous food through growing them, as weeds from the backyards and by purchasing them from the local markets, and they use some of these indigenous foods for complementary feeding. The types of indigenous foods used for complementary feeding depend on the age and developmental stage of infants from 6 to 8 months. Most mothers and caregivers expressed a strong positive perception of the use of indigenous foods for complementary feeding, as evidenced by their knowledge of their benefits. The identified benefits included good health, cost-effectiveness, ease of preparation, and possible therapeutic effects for some common infant conditions. DA - 2026-05-19 DB - ResearchSpace DP - Univen KW - Perceptions KW - Complementary feeding KW - Indigenous KW - Infants KW - Malnutrition LK - https://univendspace.univen.ac.za PY - 2026 T1 - The perceptions of mothers or caregivers on the use of indigenous food for complementary feeding of infants from 6 to 12 months TI - The perceptions of mothers or caregivers on the use of indigenous food for complementary feeding of infants from 6 to 12 months UR - ER -