AN ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING AMONG WOMEN
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ABSTRACT
Inappropriate feeding practices can have profound consequences on the growth, development and survival of infants. The World Health Organizationrecommended exclusive breastfeeding because it has been shown to reduce the occurrence of adverse health outcomes on the infant and mother, and so isregarded as the best form of preventive medicine. Despite the health and economic benefits associated with exclusive breastfeeding, the practicestill remains low in various parts of the world. In Nigeria, the practice rate remains low with just 17-25% of infants, exclusively breastfed. This justified the objective of assessing women’s knowledge, attitude andpractice of exclusive breastfeeding in Kaduna metropolis. It also justified the need to investigate factors affectingthe non-practice of exclusive breastfeeding. The study also verified the hypothesis raised with regards to the relationship between the knowledgeand attitude towards exclusive breastfeeding, respondents’knowledge and practice of exclusive breastfeeding and therelationship between the attitudeand practice of exclusive breastfeeding. The social cognitive theory was adopted as the theoretical framework of the study. The study used the survey research design where both probability and non-probability sampling techniques were used.The targeted population was nursing mothers, pregnant women and experienced mothers in Kaduna metropolis. Multi stage cluster sampling was used in selecting respondents.Simple random sampling method was used to select eight wards within the metropolis. purposive sampling method was used to select two (2) streets from the eight wards selected, making a total number of sixteen (16) streets. Fourteen (14) households were selected each from the sixteen 16 streets using availability sampling technique, making a sample size of 224 respondents. The study used frequencies, percentages and cross tabulations to analyse responses derived from the questionnaire and to testthe stated hypotheses of the study. The study also made use of in-depth interview to compliment the questionnaire and to cover issues that could not be obtained through the questionnaire. At the end of the data gathering exercise,the study revealed thatmajority (96%) of the respondents have knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding and 58% have a favourable attitude towards it. These results, however, did not have much effect on their practice as only34% practiced exclusive breastfeeding. The study identified other factors hindering the practice of exclusive breastfeeding, such as employment and school, breast problems, lack of commitment, socio- cultural factors, poor milk supply, poverty, medical conditions of mothers and infants,amongst others. Chi square results revealed that there wasa relationship between knowledge and attitude as well as knowledge and practice towards exclusive breastfeeding but no relationship between attitude and practice.The study, therefore recommends that there is need to educate caregivers and not mothers alone on the benefits of practice.This will motivate them to provide the needed support for the practiceof exclusive breastfeeding. Mothers also need to be educated on breastfeeding techniques, as this will help in preventing breast feeding problems, thereby ensuring a successful practice. The study also recommends adequate support from management at work places onthe need for the extension of maternity leave or reduced working hours for nursing mothers, and the provision of facilities to enable mothers breastfeed their babies at work.
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