ABSTRACT

 Inappropriate use of breast milk substitutes (BMS) for infants less than 6 months of age represents a threat to the preservation of the high breastfeeding rate in Nigeria and will hamper any improvement in exclusive breastfeeding rates. This study examines determine the use of breast milk substitutes by lactating mothers in selected urban locations in Anambra State. The study was a cross-sectional study and a multi-stage sampling technique was used to select a total of 341 respondents. Data on sociodemographic/economic characteristics, attitude, utilization of breast milk substitutes and anthropometric status of the infants were collected using structured and validated questionnaire. The IBM SPSS version 23.0 computer programme was used to analyse the data. Significant relationship was judged at p < 0.05. Data obtained were described using frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation. Regressing analysis was used to analyze the factors associated with the use of breast milk substitutes. Results from the study showed that majority (70.4%) of the mothers are married and live with their husbands. Majority (95.6%) of them attended antenatal care and most of them observed maternal leave. Some (39.6%) ofthe respondents exclusively breast fed their infants for 6 months. However, majority (96.8%) of the respondents were aware of breast milk substitutes, more than half (50.1%) of them currently feed their infants with both infant formula and breast milk while some(37%) started feeding their infants with milk substitutes 2-3 months after birth. Most (62.2%) of the respondents prefer to use a specific brand of infant formula and their reason for using them is because it is good for their baby (23.8%), it was recommended by their doctor (21.7%) and it is cheap and affordable (10.6%). Meanwhile, more than half (52.8%) of the respondents had a negative attitude towards breast milk substitutes. More than half of the children had a normal weight-for-height (40.5%), weight-for-age (78.3%), height-for-age (54.8%) and BMI-for-age (51.9%). There was a significant relationship (p=0.030) between low income and attitude ofthe respondents towards breast milk substitutes. There was also a significant positive relationship (p=0.038) between low education and the use of breast milk substitutes by the respondents. Activities to promote Exclusive Breast Feeding should be focused on specific groups of women and locations in which it is poorly practiced. All mothers should be empowered to be able to make the optimal infantfeeding decision, which will be in the best interests of the mother, her infant and her family.