This research work was conducted to investigate the knowledge and attitude of nursing mothers towards exclusive breastfeeding in Ilekun community in Akure South Local Government Area. Design used in this study was a descriptive study. One hundred and fifteen (115) questionnaires were administered but one hundred (100) were retrieved. This study also revealed that all the respondent has heard about exclusive breastfeeding. It was also revealed that 85% of the respondents agreed that exclusive breastfeeding is a good practice while 15% of the respondents disagreed. The study also revealed that 92% of the respondents agreed that breastmilk is nutritious, save cost, clean and readily available, protect child from infection while 8 people representing 8% of the respondents disagreed. It was also revealed that 65% of the respondents agreed that breastfeeding is a family planning method. It was recommended that government should create more awareness on how to improve exclusive breastfeeding. Health workers should always carry out health education on exclusive breastfeeding at every antenatal and postnatal clinic.
Title Page
Abstract vi
Table of contents vii-ix
List of tables x-xi
Abstract
Associated factors for unsafe abortion related maternal health complications and methods used
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Exclusive breastfeeding under 6 months of age is defined as the proportion of children, 0–6 months of age, fed only breastmilk, with the exception of oral rehydration solution, vitamins, minerals, and/or medicines (WHO, 2008). UNICEF and WHO recommend that children should be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life to achieve optimal growth, development and health (UNICEF,2018). This implies that no other foods or liquids are provided, including water. Breast milk is a safe and nutritive diet for the healthy growth and development of infants. It also provides economic benefits by reducing both the direct and indirect costs related to healthcare and infant feeding (Adugna, 2017) . Improving breastfeeding practices could save the lives of more than 800,000 children under 5 every year, the vast majority of whom are under 6 months of age (UNICEF, 2018). Exclusive breastfeeding confers both short and the long-term benefits to both the child and mother. Among others breastmilk contains all the nutrients an infant needs in the first 6 months of life. It is the most ideal, safe, and complete food that a mother can provide for her newborn (Messele,2010).
Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life improves the growth, health and survival status of newborns and is one of the most natural and best forms of preventive medicine (Agho , 2011). In addition, exclusive breastfeeding plays a pivotal role in determining the optimal health and development of infants, and is associated with a decreased risk for many early-life diseases and conditions, including respiratory tract infection, diarrhea and lots more. It also saves money since breast milk is free and it creates a special bond between the child and the mother,it reduces the risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer and can also serves as a family planning method. The 2017 USAID Report on addressing barriers to exclusive breastfeeding reveals that in Malawi, the prevalence of early introduction of foods and liquids in the first 6 months is at 34.6% (USAID ,2017).
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Breastfeeding benefits for newborns and infants are well-documented (WHO,2020). It provides infants with superior nutritional content that is capable of improving infant immunity and possible reduction in future health care spending (WHO,2011). At the Innocenti Declaration in 1990, the WHO/UNICEF called for policies that would cultivate a breastfeeding culture that encourages women to breastfeed their children exclusively for the first 6 months of life and then up to 2 years of age and beyond . However, a recent estimate by the WHO showed that worldwide only 35% of children between birth and their 5th month are breastfed exclusively. Based on the WHO Global data on Infant and Young Child Feeding in Nigeria, 22.3% of children were exclusively breastfed for less than 4 months, while 17.2% were exclusively breastfed for less than 6 months, in the year 2003. According to the Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), in 2008 17% of children were exclusively breastfed for less than 4 months, while 13% were exclusively breastfed for less than 6 months.
The median exclusive breastfeeding period in Southwest Nigeria by months in the year 2003 was 7 months. In the year 2008, it was 6 months. Within the same period, early initiation of breastfeeding among women in the region was 12.7% in 2003, but increased to 35.5% in the year 2008 (National Population Commission, 2009). All these figures are far below the 90% level recommended by the WHO (Jones, 2003). Child mortality remains high in low and middle-income countries (Gabriele,2008). Nigeria has the highest under-five rural mortality rate of 242.7 per 1,000 among selected sub-Saharan Africa countries (Anyamele, 2009). Successful breastfeeding is crucial to the curbing of infant malnutrition and achieving the millennium development goals four [reducing child mortality] and five [improving maternal health. Based on available evidence, achievements of both goals are still far from the desired progress (WHO, 2010)
Breastfeeding practices, including initiation and duration, are influenced by multiple interwoven factors which include health, psychosocial, cultural, political, and economic factors (Cripe et al., 2010). Among these factors, decisions regarding initiation and duration of breastfeeding in low-income countries are influenced by education, employment, place of delivery, family pressure, and cultural values (Schmied,2009). In Nigeria, while breastfeeding initiation is on the increase, the duration, and practice of exclusive breastfeeding among women who had their delivery in a health facility, and outside such facility, has remained low . The early introduction of complementary feeding, based on erroneous assumptions, affects breastfeeding initiation and sustainability (Gabriele,2008). Among the Yoruba people, a common belief about infant feeding is that exclusive breastfeeding is beneficial to both infants and mothers, but complementary feeding is essential for babies to adapt to other meals with ease. Besides normative expectations, personal experiences and networks of support have influence on the forms and quality of breastfeeding practices. (Ojofeitimi, 2022).
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Despite the effort and strategies that have been put in a place by WHO and UNICEF to increase awareness of exclusive breastfeeding through baby friendly hospitals initiatives in order to reduce complication associated with artificial feeding like respiratory and gastro intestinal infections. Exclusive breastfeeding is very important in enhancing the immune and the general well-being of the children, Because children that were exclusively breastfed tends to have strong immune system than children that were not exclusively breastfed. Many mothers has neglected the importance of exclusively without considering its negative effect. Many mothers did not practice exclusive breastfeeding,could it be as a result of lack of knowledge, education. For this reason this topic aims to investigate the Importance of Exclusive breastfeeding to infants and mothers.
AIM OF THE STUDY
The aim of this study is to look into the knowledge and attitude of nursing mothers towards exclusive breastfeeding in Ilekun community in Akure South Local Government Area.
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The objectives of the study are to:
i. To investigate the importance of Exclusive breastfeeding to infants and mothers in Ilekun Basic Health Centre
ii. To assess the level of knowledge and the practice of exclusive breastfeeding among nursing mothers.
iii. To ascertain the attitude of nursing mothers towards the exclusive breastfeeding. To find out the factors influencing the practice of exclusive breastfeeding among nursing mothers.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
What is the importance of exclusive breastfeeding to infants and mothers in Ilekun, Basic Health Centre?
What is the level of their knowledge and the practice of exclusive breastfeeding
What is their attitude towards exclusive breastfeeding in the study area.
What are the factors influencing the practice of exclusive breastfeeding among the nursing mothers.
ASSUMPTIONS
Exclusive breastfeeding does not satisfy the child.
Breast milk do not contain the essential nutrient the child needs for survival
Exclusive breastfeeding make the mothers to be lean and loose her shape.
SIGNIFANCE OF THE STUDY
This study is meant to educate the general public, especially nursing mothers on the benefits of Exclusive Breastfeeding. It is also meant to inform the health workers that they have a role to play in enlightening the general public, especially nursing mothers on the need to practice EBF. This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this topic and build more on their works and also gives knowledge as well as serve as a guide for other fields or study.
DEFINITION OF TERM
Attitude: A predisposition or a tendency to respond positively or negatively towards a certain idea, object, person, or situation (Kerala, 2010).
Breast milk is milk produced by mammary glands, located in the breast of a human female (Allen et al., 2021).
Medicine is the practice concerned with the maintenance of health and the prevention, alleviation, or cure of disease (Harold, 2022).
Perception: This is the ability to see, hear, or become aware of something through the senses or the way in which something is regarded, understood, or interpreted (Lexico, 2022).
Exclusive Breastfeeding: This means that the infant receives only breast milk. No other liquids or solids are given – not even water – with the exception of oral rehydration solution, or drops/syrups of vitamins, minerals or medicines (WHO, 2009).
Immunity refers to the body's ability to prevent the invasion of pathogens (Dubey, 2020).
Malnutrition is the condition that develops when the body is deprived of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients it needs to maintain healthy tissues and organ function (Johnshopkins, 2021)
Infant: is the more formal or specialised synonym for the common term baby, meaning the very young offspring of human beings (Wallace, 2007).
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