ABSTRACT

Exclusive breast feeding is an important public health problem among nursing mothers .This study examined knowledge, attitude and practice or exclusive breast feeding among nursing mothers in Anaocha Local Government area of Anambra state. The quantitative descriptive research design was used for this study. Purposive sampling technique was used to select a total of 293 respondents. Data on Demographic/Socioeconomic Characteristics or the Nursing Mother . Knowledge ./Attitude Practice of exclusive breastfeeding among nursing mothers were collected using structured and validated questionnaire. Data obtained were described using frequency and percentage .. Out of 293 mothers (29.4%) of nursing mothers were within the age of 18-24 ycars, 3 I. 7% were within the age or 25-31 years, 30% were within the age of 32-38 years and 8.9% were within the age of 39-45 years. A very few of 8.9% had poor(0-39%) knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding whereas 11.6% had average(40-59)knowledge on exclusive breastfeeding and a large number of 79.5% had good(60-100) knowledge or exclusive breastfeeding. Slightly More than half the nursing mother (53.6%) 157 believed that children breastfed with only breast milk is more intelligent than children breastfed with water. Only 141(48.1%) nursing mothers breast fed their baby with only breast milk for 0-6months. There was positive and strong relationship between practices of exclusive breastfeeding and the knowledge on exclusive breast feeding (r 0.548. p 0.000) and is significant (p 0.01 ). II was concluded that there was high level of knowledge on exclusive breastfeeding among the respondents. almost half of the respondents practiced exclusi,e breastfeeding as recommended and relatively all the respondents have positive altitude toward exclusive breastfeeding.