DETERMINANTS OF EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING PRACTICES AMONG NURSING MOTHERS ATTENDING ADEOYO MATERNITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, IBADAN, OYO STATE

Abstract

Exclusive breastfeeding serves as the fundamental approach to appropriate infant nutrition. However, variations in knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to infant feeding exist across different social groups, age brackets, genders, educational levels, and economic conditions within families and communities. This study aimed to identify the determining factors influencing exclusive breastfeeding practices among mothers of infants at Adeoyo Maternity Hospital in Oyo State.

A descriptive study design was employed to assess infant feeding practices and the determinants of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers in the hospital. Subjects were recruited using a simple random sampling technique, and data was collected through semi-structured questionnaires. The reliability of the questionnaire was established with a Cronbach Alpha coefficient of 0.76.

The findings revealed that 95.3% of breastfeeding mothers had heard of exclusive breastfeeding, with 96.2% correctly understanding the recommended definition of exclusive breastfeeding by the World Health Organization (WHO). However, only 99.0% of mothers actually practiced exclusive breastfeeding as recommended. Knowledge about exclusive breastfeeding was considered good among 95.0% of the mothers, while 98.6% initiated breastfeeding within the first hour after birth. Furthermore, 98.3% of mothers immediately initiated breastfeeding after delivery. Over half (99.0%) of the mothers understood the importance of providing only breast milk to infants under 6 months of age. Among the mothers, 57.3% reported having practiced exclusive breastfeeding, while reasons for not practicing it included lack of time (14.3%), job restrictions (8.3%), and health-related issues (16.0%).

Several factors were found to be associated with mothers' knowledge about exclusive breastfeeding, including maternal level of education, maternal occupation, father's occupation, type of marriage, father's level of education, ethnicity, and mothers' average monthly income. Additionally, maternal age, marital status, maternal level of education and occupation, father's level of education, and fathers' average income were associated with mothers' knowledge about exclusive breastfeeding. It is recommended that public health education efforts should focus on increasing awareness among family members regarding exclusive breastfeeding recommendations. Collaborating with traditional and religious leaders could also help discourage or modify practices involving the use of herbal teas and ritual concoctions for newborns.