ASSESSMENT OF EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING PRACTICES AMONG NURSING MOTHERS ATTENDING POSTNATAL CLINIC IN UGBOR PRIMARY HEALTH CARE CENTRE, BENIN CITY

Abstract

This study examined breastfeeding practice to exclusive breastfeeding among nursing mothers attending postnatal clinics in Ugbor Primary Health Care Centre, Benin City. EBF is considered the most effective intervention for reducing infant morbidity and mortality; however, the practice has encountered significant challenges and constraints in its implementation and execution in various parts of the world. This study employed the descriptive survey design and the questionnaire as the research instrument. The purposive sampling procedure was used because the study targeted 110 nursing mothers who attended postnatal clinics in Ugbor Primary Health Care Centre. The study used frequency counts, percentages, and chi-square () to analyze the data at a 0.05 significance level. The study found that the respondents had a good level of knowledge of EBF, attributable to antenatal counseling and health education services and public health campaigns. The results of the study of Hypothesis One left no doubt = 51.27 > 28.87; Because of this, the decision was made to reject the null hypothesis, indicating that nursing mothers understand EBF very well. The findings of Hypothesis Two show = 78.24 > 40.11; so the null hypothesis was rejected, implying that nursing mothers did good EBF practices, and their level of knowledge was the source of these practices. The result of Hypothesis Three analysis ( = 124.5 > 40.11) indicated that maternal education, cultural beliefs, health professional encouragement, and friendly working conditions were the factors contributing to EBF among nursing mothers. Hypothesis Four analysis ( = 48.37 > 40.11) showed that breastfeeding education, family support, friendly working conditions and media campaigns may act as a means of promoting EBF. Hasan et al. (2021), Sultana et al. (2022), Gebretsadik et al. (2022), and Muluneh (2023) are some of the scholars who have undertaken similar research focusing on the role of knowledge, cultural beliefs, and education level in EBF practice. Summary: Per the findings, knowledge and socio-demographic factors determined the decision of nursing mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies for six months following delivery at Ugbor Primary Health Care Centre, Because of this the need for intensified health education, policy enforcement, and family involvement in promoting EBF. The study suggested that healthcare workers, medical institutions, and government agencies should educate, sensitize, and admonish families to provide a friendly environment for breastfeeding and also support and promote EBF via advertisements and mass media campaigns. Keywords: Exclusive Breastfeeding, Awareness, Nursing Mothers, Postnatal Clinics.

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urn:uuid:671afe41-27aa-46a2-9fc1-f19bd984f38e