ABSTRACT
Breastfeeding is a natural and critical act
that provides optimally, the energy and nutrients required to satisfy all the
needs of the child during the first half of infancy and' subsequently,
providing up to half or more and one third of the child's nutritional and
energy needs during the second half of infancy and the second year of life
respectively. The study assessed the knowledge, attitude and practices of
breastfeeding among nursing mothers in some selected health centers in Owerri
municipal. A cross sectional survey was adopted for this study as nursing
mothers in the selected health facilities were randomly selected for this
study. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on
socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude and practice of
breastfeeding and infant breastfeeding pattern. Statistical Package for Social
Science (SPSS) Version 27.0.1 was used in this study as only mothers who gave
their consent were selected and confidentiality of information was maintained
throughout the study period. The result indicated that (70.8%) of the mothers
were aged between 21-30 years and (23.1%) attained tertiary education. (32.3%)
of the mothers were artisan, while (24.6%) of the mothers were traders. (60.9%)
of breastfeeding mothers had good knowledge on breastfeeding, (37.1%) of
mothers had average knowledge on breastfeeding, while’ (2.0%) have poor
knowledge on breastfeeding. Breastfeeding mothers of (61.85%) had a positive
attitude on breastfeeding, (38.15%) of mother had negative attitude towards
breastfeeding. (69.6%) give, only breast milk for the first six months of the
baby's life, while (4.2%) combine breast feeding and infant formula, (26.2%)
combine pap and breast milk, 69.6% of the mothers practice exclusive
breastfeeding while 29.3% expressed their breast milk. In view of the findings
of this study, there was high awareness of importance of breastfeeding among
nursing mothers attending to their infants, the level of knowledge on breastfeeding
among the respondents was equally high which could be as a result of the fact
that most of the respondents obtained their information on breast feeding from
health workers, yet mothers should be well informed about the benefits of
breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding on the child. Health care providers
should be trained on the principles of exclusive breast feeding. Government
should also make policies to extend the period of maternity leave from 3 months
to 6 months as this will help employed mothers achieve a complete exclusive
breastfeeding practices and reduce the problem of child morbidity and mortality
in Owerri municipal in particular and Nigeria at large
IHECEI, P (2024). Knowledge, Attitude And Practice Of Breastfeeding Among Nursing Mothers In Owerri Municipal:- Onuoha, Ihechi P. Mouau.afribary.org: Retrieved Dec 25, 2024, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/knowledge-attitude-and-practice-of-breastfeeding-among-nursing-mothers-in-owerri-municipal-onuoha-ihechi-p-7-2
PROGRESS, IHECEI. "Knowledge, Attitude And Practice Of Breastfeeding Among Nursing Mothers In Owerri Municipal:- Onuoha, Ihechi P" Mouau.afribary.org. Mouau.afribary.org, 04 Sep. 2024, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/knowledge-attitude-and-practice-of-breastfeeding-among-nursing-mothers-in-owerri-municipal-onuoha-ihechi-p-7-2. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.
PROGRESS, IHECEI. "Knowledge, Attitude And Practice Of Breastfeeding Among Nursing Mothers In Owerri Municipal:- Onuoha, Ihechi P". Mouau.afribary.org, Mouau.afribary.org, 04 Sep. 2024. Web. 25 Dec. 2024. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/knowledge-attitude-and-practice-of-breastfeeding-among-nursing-mothers-in-owerri-municipal-onuoha-ihechi-p-7-2 >.
PROGRESS, IHECEI. "Knowledge, Attitude And Practice Of Breastfeeding Among Nursing Mothers In Owerri Municipal:- Onuoha, Ihechi P" Mouau.afribary.org (2024). Accessed 25 Dec. 2024. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/knowledge-attitude-and-practice-of-breastfeeding-among-nursing-mothers-in-owerri-municipal-onuoha-ihechi-p-7-2