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 ofAbia 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 fbr 6 months and 40.3% agreed that it is good to breastleed babies on demand. Only 14.5% ofthe women exclusively breastfed their babies similarly. There was a strong positive significant relationship between respondent9s 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 fbr proper growth and protection against infection. They should also be encouraged to commence antenatal early and also come on time.