AN ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING AMONG WOMEN IN KADUNA METROPOLIS
Jonathan Grace Wona , Abdullahi Kassim Adams and Ordue Rhoda Seember
Volume 10 Issue 1
Abstract
Poor breastfeeding practices results in early nutritional deficits that can have profound consequences on the growth and survival of infants. Several health organizations, such as WHO and UNICEF, recommends exclusive breastfeeding based on scientific evidence, of the benefits for infant’s survival, growth, and development. Despite the health and economic benefits associated with exclusive breastfeeding, the practice remains low in various parts of the world. In Nigeria out 97% of infants receiving breast only 29%, of infants are exclusively breastfeed meaning that over 70% of infants in Nigeria are denied the aforementioned benefits of breast milk in their formative years. Also, only 41% of infants are breastfed exclusively. Therefore, this article examines the Knowledge and practice of exclusive breastfeeding among women in Kaduna metropolis. Data was collected from a sample of women using questionnaires and in-depth interviews. In this study, knowledge of study participant mothers towards EBF is high, as 95% know about exclusive breastfeeding, however; only 34% of them practised exclusive breastfeeding for six months as recommended by health organizations. The study therefore recommends that disseminating knowledge alone is not a sufficient tool, other constraining factors such as employment and school, breast problems, poor milks supply, medical condition of mothers and infants, lack of commitment need to be addressed to improve the practice rate. Keywords: Knowledge, Practice, Exclusive Breastfeeding, Women
Download Paper