Attitudes and Perception of Nursing Mothers towards Exclusive Breastfeeding in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)

Abstract

Breastfeeding is one of the oldest practices known to mankind because the breastmilk contains the essential fats, proteins, carbohydrates, and immunological factors needed for infants to thrive. This study assessed the attitude and perception of nursing mothers towards exclusive breastfeeding. An evaluation was conducted to assess the attitude and perception using a qualitative research method which involved 401 nursing mothers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) who were selected randomly to answer questionnaires regarding their knowledge and practice of exclusive breastfeeding. The data was analysed using the chi-square test. The result was presented using frequency tables and charts, the chi-square was used to test for hypotheses between variables. 344 of 401 respondents (85.7%) have a good understanding of exclusive breastfeeding. 280 of 401 respondents (69.8%) practice exclusive breastfeeding, 167 of 401 respondents (41.64%) were informed about exclusive breastfeeding from healthcare practitioners and 121 of 401 respondents (30.17%) heard about it from family members. From this study, we derived that the level of education, marital status, income level and religious beliefs have no significant effect on exclusive breastfeeding. This study highlighted that majority of the respondents have knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding and practice it. It is necessary to provide lactation services especially to new mothers during the antenatal and postnatal care, fathers should be made aware of the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding and the importance of supporting the nursing mothers by feeding them healthy meals which would help nourish both the mother and infant. Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first six months of a child’s life.