Abstract
This study aimed at assessing the practicability of WHO recommendations on exclusive breastfeeding by establishing barriers to the practice. Descriptive survey method was used. The study was carried out in Birnin kudu. The study population was selected using simple random sampling. The sample size was 296 mothers of children aged 0-6 months. Data were collected through the administration of questionnaires and structured interview schedules and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences and EPI Info. Chi-square statistic was used to test the null hypothesis. Anthropometric measures were used to assess the nutritional status of infants. Out of the 296 infants, only 15.5% were breastfed exclusively. The mean age of exclusively breastfed infants was 1.8 months as 36% of the infants were introduced to other foods by 2 months. Maternal knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding was low. According to the mothers‟ understanding, exclusive breastfeeding periods in months were as follows; 0-2 (51%), 2-4 (16%), 4-6 (10%) and other ages (23%). Malnutrition cases of underweight were 2.7%, wasting 9.3% and stunting 6.9 %. The major hindrance to exclusive breastfeeding was mothers‟ perception of insufficient breast milk production. The null hypothesis was rejected as there were many factors that hindered EBF practice, P = 0.004. These findings will form a basis of designing effective strategies to address barriers to exclusive breastfeeding.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to study
The 2008 Lancet Series on Maternal and Child Undernutrition indicated that suboptimum breastfeeding, especially not exclusively breastfeeding a child for the first six months of life, results in 1.4 million deaths and 10 % of the disease burden in children younger than five years in low-income and middle-income countries. Other statistics indicate that one hundred and thirty-five million babies are delivered annually, but only 42 % (57 million) initiate breastfeeding within the first hour after birth, 39 % are breastfed exclusively during the first six months, and 58 % continue breastfeeding up to the age of two years. Several studies have reported barriers accounting for this situation, including returning to work after delivery. Others have stated factors that determine the success of exclusive breastfeeding even upon return to work, indicating that a supportive workplace and working environment are essential. Yet, the Nigeria 2010 Population and Housing Census Report showed an increasing trend of women joining the labor force. Guendelman et al. note that the challenge of balancing breastfeeding and paid work is an important reason for breastfeeding cessation in the first six months. In Nigeria, the success of exclusive breastfeeding is subject to the nature of a women’s job and occupation, especially at places where women are engaged in industrial work away from home, and long working hours. Elsewhere, Magner, and Phillipi attribute cessation of breastfeeding within the first month to returning to work. Aryeetey and Goh note that exclusive breastfeeding in Nigeria usually lasts for a median of about three months, which, incidentally coincides with the maternity leave period. Cai et al. in their 2012 “global trends in exclusive breastfeeding” indicate that the early cessation of exclusive breastfeeding favours the use of commercial breast milk substitutes, often of poor nutritional quality. Recently, Fosu-brefo and Arthur in their work titled “effect of timely initiation of breastfeeding on child health in Nigeria” acknowledged that interventions that improved child health and prevented childhood diseases included early breastfeeding initiation. Also, the factors acknowledged locally in Nigeria, Ayton and colleagues have identified several others that are harmfully associated with effective breastfeeding, such as delays in and/or failure of early breastfeeding initiation. Exploring the constraints to exclusive breastfeeding practice among working class Breastfeeding mothers in Southwest Nigeria, Agunbiade and Ogunleye note that early introduction of complementary feeding, based on false beliefs that it is only beneficial to infants less than six months, adversely affects breastfeeding initiation and sustainability. In China and Western Kenya, several factors accounted for low EBF prevalence among working mothers. Early return to work, limited flexibility of work hours, lack of privacy, as well as a feeling of being watched and judged, lack of support including networks, tiredness and emotional support at work were cited as challenges facing working mothers. Mother’s work outside the home, father’s type of occupation (demanding occupations) which may limit their support for mothers to breastfeed and shorter maternity leave regulation also hindered EBF practice among professional working mothers in Vietnam, who all intended to exclusively breastfeed. These studies report that although most working mothers leave the maternity ward breastfeeding exclusively, the practice is quickly abandoned, mostly due to work and employment related factors.
1.2 Statement of problem
Although breastfeeding may not be completely abandoned, its exclusivity was mostly interrupted by these factors. Some of the factors hindering exclusive breastfeeding initiation and practice in Nigeria and elsewhere include poor knowledge of mothers, lack of mother’s confidence, lack of skills about appropriate breastfeeding methods and challenges with other work problems during lactation. These challenges may be amplified among working mothers in Nigeria, and could include giving substitutes other than maternal milk, early introduction of weaning foods, or shorter duration of EBF due to demands from work.
While data indicate that only about 36 % of infants younger than six months are exclusively breastfed in developing countries, national surveys concluded that Nigeria’s exclusive breastfeeding rate at six months is currently about 52 % [18] . Although higher than the national average, the exclusive breastfeeding prevalence of 60 % in the Upper West Region is lower than the desired national target. The popularity or otherwise of exclusive breastfeeding among gainfully employed women is yet to be characterized in this region of Nigeria. The current study therefore aimed to assess the prevalence, and predictors of exclusive breastfeeding among professional working mothers in the Upper West Regional capital of Nigeria.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
To investigate factors that hinder exclusive breastfeeding and establish the nutritional status of non – exclusively breastfed infants in Birnin kudu
1.3.1 Specific Objectives
- To identify factors that hinder exclusive breastfeeding
- To establish the mothers‟ level of knowledge of exclusive
- To assess the nutritional status of non – exclusively breastfed
- To determine the relationship between mothers socio-demographic characteristics and exclusive breastfeeding
1.4 Significance
It is hoped that the findings of the study will provide a current perceptual database that will inform all of us and more importantly the policy makers on the feelings and views of the mothers about exclusive breastfeeding so that appropriate alternatives to motivate the indulgence of exclusive breastfeeding and its support, would be developed by Working class Breastfeeding mothers, helpers and the populace of Nigeria.
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