ABSTRACT

Breastfeeding practices, including initiation and duration, are influenced by multiple interwoven factors. Among these factors, decisions regarding initiation and duration of breastfeeding are influenced by maternal age, education, employment, parity, place of delivery, family pressure, and cultural values. This study examined the exclusive breastfeeding duration and perception of insufficient milk supply among mothers in Ikwuno Local Government Area of Abia State. The study was cross sectional and multi stage random sampling was used to select Five (5) health centers in Ikwuan Local Government Area of Abia State. Data were collected with the use of a well-structured and validated questionnaire to obtain information on socio-demographic characteristics, sufficient breast milk supply, the reason for perceived breast milk insufficiency, mothers’ knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), mothers knowledge of breastfeeding, duration of exclusive breastfeeding practice in the study area. Data obtain was analyzed using WHO anthropometric software and statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 20.0. The result obtained was presented in frequency and percentage. The result showed that about 29.7% of the participants were aged between 31-35 years and mean age of the mother were 20 and were married (87.0%). About 40.3% were 6 to 10 months old, the mean age were 25. About 58% of mothers had good knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding, 17% of mothers had poor knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding. Majority 64% of mothers perceived breast milk insufficiency, 36% perceived breast milk sufficiency. About 45.5% of mother had reasons for early introduction of water and food. Therefore, there is need for large scale health enlightenment of members of the public on EBF and its benefits to the infant, mother and society at large. Therefore, we recommend, Efforts to promote exclusive breastfeeding duration should, in addition to improving maternal knowledge and attitudes, focus on the identification of factors that influence the practice and how they can be addressed in a participatory manner by all stakeholders in the community.