ABSTRACT

The level of knowledge, attitude and supportive practices of grandmothers towards exclusive breast feeding was assessed in the study based on the fact that exclusive breastfeeding addresses all the four facets of health of the infant which are physical, mental, spiritual and social; on the vital role and strong influence of grandmothers whose knowledge, attitude and supportive practices have a great effect on the feeding pattern of the infants. The study also determined the relationship and proximity between grandmothers and daughters/daughters-in-law in Ibere (Rural) and World Bank Housing Estate (Urban) of Abia State. A total of 239 grandmothers were sampled and interviewed. A self administered questionnaire was used in data collection and sampling accessibility which allowed contact with otherwise inaccessible respondent. The result showed that 53.8% of grandmothers had good knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding, 32.2% had average knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding, and 14.0% had poor knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding. It was found that 9.6% of grandmothers had positive attitude towards exclusive breastfeeding, 56.1% had indifferent attitude, while 34.3% had negative attitude towards exclusive breastfeeding. The result also showed that none (0.0%) of the grandmothers gave high support on exclusive breastfeeding, 28.9% gave moderate support and 71.1% gave low support on exclusive breastfeeding. The result on the relationship between knowledge, attitude and supportive practices of grandmothers towards exclusive breastfeeding showed that there is a positive and strong significant relationship (0.723, P<0.001) between the knowledge and attitude of grandmothers towards exclusive breastfeeding, which implies that grandmothers who had good knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding were found to have a positive attitude towards exclusive breastfeeding. However, there is a positive but weak significant relationship (0.270**) between knowledge and supportive practices of grandmothers towards exclusive breastfeeding. In conclusion, more than half of the grandmothers (129) had good knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding but indifferent attitude and low support towards exclusive breastfeeding. The knowledge, attitude and supportive practices of exclusive breastfeeding are learnt socially within then family. Therefore it is recommended that intervention on improving the attitude and supportive practices of grandmothers towards exclusive breastfeeding and how beneficial positive attitude and supportive practices will be to the infant at the long-run should be taken out of the hospital to homes through awareness of exclusive breastfeeding in communities to include all the stake holders that may influence exclusive breastfeeding practices especially grandmothers.