ABSTRACT
Despite
its many advantages, the benefits of breast milk have been widely unknown to
mothers or that they have decided not to accept it. In many of the world's
developing countries, water and other liquids are added to the baby's diet in
the first months of life risking infection from harmful bacteria and other
pathogens. This cross sectional study was aimed at investigating the Knowledge,
Attitude and Practice of exclusive breastfeeding among nursing mothers in
Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State. Systematic random sample was
used to select 248. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain information
on socio-economic characteristics of the respondents and the children used.
Health, challenges encountered, knowledge, attitude and Practices. Data
obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies and
percentages and correlation. From the result, 40.3% ofthe mothers were within
the age of 30-35 years and 37.9% were 24-29 years. Majority (88.3%) were
Christians. Most (71.4%) of the women married. A good number (42.3%) drank
sachet water, 64.9% cooked with gas and 30.6% lived in rented flat. Majority
(74.2%) were employed that 22.2% and 19.4% earned N30,000- N39,000 and N40,000-
N49,000. Few (34.7%) of the children were between 1-2 years before the mother
conceived. More than half (58.5%) received their antenatal at hospital which
34.3% attended 4 times and 42.3% started it between 4-6 months of pregnancy. A
good number (41.2%) opted that they severely worry about breast milk alone not
meeting the nutritional needs of your baby. However, 40.5%, 40.8%, 40.2%,
40.9%, 41.7% and 41.5% reported that short maternity leave period, pressure
from family members to introduce water and artificial foods, lack of support
from family member, breast engorgement, mixing breastfeeding with formula
feeding reduces breast milk supply, shyness breastfeeding in public and lack of
support from health care professionals. Knowledge of the women towards
breastfeeding revealed that majority (66.5%) ofthe respondents had a poor
knowledge about exclusive breastfeeding. However, most (87.5%) of the
respondents had a positive attitude towards exclusive breastfeeding. A good
number indicated that seeking professional help from health care services,
doctors, nurses, mid wives would help one to overcome breastfeeding
difficulties. Majority (78.2% and 59.5%) strongly agreed that breast milk is
ideal food for babies and that breastfeeding is beneficial to a mother's
health. Some (26.6%) believed that it is very good to exclusively breastfeed a
baby for 6 months and 40.3% agreed that it is good to breastfeed babies on
demand. Only 14.5% ofthe women exclusively breastfed their babies similarly.
There was a strong positive significant relationship between respondent’s age,
marital status, monthly income, educational level family size and their practice
of exclusive breastfeeding (p<0.05). Therefore, promotion of exclusive
breastfeeding is essential as to reduce infant mortality and improve infant
development worldwide. Also, mothers, including their husbands should be
assured that in the first six months of life, breast milk alone is sufficient
for proper growth and protection against infection. They should also be
encouraged to commence antenatal early and also come on time
CHUKWUEMEKA, C (2024). Knowledge, Attitude And Practice Of Exclusive Breastfeeding Among Nursing Mothers In Umuahia North Local Government Area, Abia State.:- Chukwuemeka, Favour I. Repository.mouau.edu.ng: Retrieved Sep 07, 2024, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/knowledge-attitude-and-practice-of-exclusive-breastfeeding-among-nursing-mothers-in-umuahia-north-local-government-area-abia-state-chukwuemeka-favour-i-7-2
CHUKWUEMEKA, CHUKWUEMEKA. "Knowledge, Attitude And Practice Of Exclusive Breastfeeding Among Nursing Mothers In Umuahia North Local Government Area, Abia State.:- Chukwuemeka, Favour I" Repository.mouau.edu.ng. Repository.mouau.edu.ng, 25 Jun. 2024, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/knowledge-attitude-and-practice-of-exclusive-breastfeeding-among-nursing-mothers-in-umuahia-north-local-government-area-abia-state-chukwuemeka-favour-i-7-2. Accessed 07 Sep. 2024.
CHUKWUEMEKA, CHUKWUEMEKA. "Knowledge, Attitude And Practice Of Exclusive Breastfeeding Among Nursing Mothers In Umuahia North Local Government Area, Abia State.:- Chukwuemeka, Favour I". Repository.mouau.edu.ng, Repository.mouau.edu.ng, 25 Jun. 2024. Web. 07 Sep. 2024. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/knowledge-attitude-and-practice-of-exclusive-breastfeeding-among-nursing-mothers-in-umuahia-north-local-government-area-abia-state-chukwuemeka-favour-i-7-2 >.
CHUKWUEMEKA, CHUKWUEMEKA. "Knowledge, Attitude And Practice Of Exclusive Breastfeeding Among Nursing Mothers In Umuahia North Local Government Area, Abia State.:- Chukwuemeka, Favour I" Repository.mouau.edu.ng (2024). Accessed 07 Sep. 2024. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/knowledge-attitude-and-practice-of-exclusive-breastfeeding-among-nursing-mothers-in-umuahia-north-local-government-area-abia-state-chukwuemeka-favour-i-7-2