Breastfeeding Practices and Attitudes of Postnatal Mothers in a South-West Nigerian Community

MOPA-EGBUNU Adenike

Abstract

Breastfeeding has been reported to be the simplest, healthiest and least expensive feeding method in achieving optimal health and growth for infants. Despite strong evidence in support of Exclusive Breast Feeding (EBF) for the first six months of life, its prevalence has remained low worldwide. The present study, a cross-sectional descriptive study involving women of child bearing age, therefore aims at investigating the underlying  attitudes affecting EBF practices in Ede, Osun state, Nigeria.  A total of 163 women were surveyed with regards to their knowledge and practice of exclusive breastfeeding and their attitude to infant feeding. Data were collected using a set of structured interviewer administered questionnaires. Over half of the respondents (61.3%) had adequate knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding with 75.5% of the mothers breastfeeding for 12 months or more. However, only 30.7% of the mothers practised exclusive breastfeeding. Although breastfeeding was universal in this study area, the EBF practice was low. There is a need to deploy interventions aimed at early breastfeeding initiation and improving the knowledge and practice of EBF towards achieving optimal health status in low resource communities.

Keywords

Mothers, infant nutrition, breastfeeding, Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale, practice,

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