Role of Significant Others and Practice of Exclusive Breastfeeding by Nursing Mothers in Imo State, Nigeria
Journal Title: The Journal of Middle East and North Africa Sciences - Year 2017, Vol 3, Issue 11
Abstract
This descriptive study determined the role of significant others in the adoption of exclusive-breastfeeding by nursing-mothers in Imo State, Nigeria. Respondents were made up of 340 nursing-mothers from three selected communities in the state. The target population of the study was all the 405 nursing-mothers with children aged twenty-four months and below. Instruments for data collection were structured questionnaire and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and the reliability of the instrument was established (r = 0.8). Results of the study revealed that exclusive- breastfeeding practice was generally low, 13.5% in the target communities. Only 7(5.6%), 37(26.4%) and zero (0%) of nursing mothers who were assisted by their mother, mother-in-law, and friend respectively during the months of confinement after childbirth traditionally known as omugwo practiced exclusive-breastfeeding (p <0.0001). Similarly, only 36 (10.6%) of husbands, 37(10.9%) of mothers and 33(9.7%) of mothers-in-law were of the opinion that infant should be fed with only breast milk in the first 6 months of life (exclusive-breastfeeding). More nursing-mothers 163(47.7%) had the health facility as their main source of exclusive-breastfeeding information and 39(23.9%) of them practiced exclusive breastfeeding. The study concluded that significant others as represented in this study by mother, mother-in-law, husband, and friends of nursing-mother influenced the adoption of the exclusive-breastfeeding practice of the nursing mother. Also, the health facility as the main source of exclusive-breastfeeding information could not achieve the desired level of adoption. There is need to explore the participation of significant others in the campaign for the promotion of exclusive breastfeeding.
Authors and Affiliations
S. N. O. Ibe, O. Obasi, E. A. Nwoke, C. R. Nwufo, E. O. Osuala, C. O. Ezenwuba, C. I. C. Ebirim
Keywords
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- EP ID EP230435
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