Factors Influencing Breast Feeding Initiation And Continuation Among Nursing Mothers In Nigeria: Evidence From Lagos State.

Abstract

The study investigated factors influencing Exclusive Breastfeeding Initiation (EBFI) and Breastfeeding continuation (BFC) among women in Nigeria with special focus on Ojodu Lagos state. The multistage sampling was used to select 100 participants from the five health centres in the community for the study. The factors examined included socio-demographic and breastfeeding practice. Data for the study was gathered using structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and the logit regression model. Analysis was at p≤0.05. About 60% were less than 33 years of age and are mostly married (88%), are from the Yoruba ethnic group (84%) and largely Christians (77%). Most of the women already have 2-3 children (73%) thus they are expected to be aware of Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF). Some 68% had more than secondary education and 74% are employed. Most of the respondents earn above N20,000 (<$ 101) monthly. Prevalence of EBF is higher in the early age of the infant with 77% of the mothers initiating EBF when the infant is about a month old but only 28 percent still practice EBF at 6 months. Also, only 17% were willing to continue to breastfeed for 2 years according to WHO recommendation. Factors which increased EBFI were mode of delivery, frequency of antenatal visits, place of delivery, age of the index infant and family influence. Factors which decreased EBFI included maternal literacy level, ethnicity, income levels and need to resume full time job or school. The factors which increased BFC included maternal age, frequency of antenatal visits and place of delivery. Factors which decreased BFC included income levels and need to resume full time job or school. Creating more awareness and encouraging women adoption of exclusive breastfeeding especially in the first 6 months of the infant's life, should be encouraged