Pattern of Breastfeeding Adopted By Working Class Nursing Mothers in South-South Nigeria

Abstract

Breastfeeding is one of the important and natural mode of feeding a child and it should be encouraged in every society irrespective of your occupational status. Every woman owes a duty to breastfed their child to ensure a healthy living. This study is to ascertain the Pattern of Breastfeeding Adopted by Working Class Nursing Mothers in South-South Nigeria. This was a cross-sectional study involving 320 working class nursing mothers who were within the age of 18 to 47 years. A well-structured questionnaire was administered to participants. Each participant had one questionnaire to fill appropriately and independently after instructions were given to them by the Research Assistants. The study lasted for a period of 6 months. The research findings revealed that 20(6.30%) were within 18-22 years, 40(12.50%) were within 23-27years, 50(15.60%) were within 28-32 years, 120(37.60%) were within 33-37 years, 60(18.80%) were within 38-42 years while 30(9.40%) were within 43-47 years. The study also revealed the educational status of the participants which shows that 50(15.60%) had primary level of education, 80(25.00%) had secondary level of education, while 190(59.40%) had tertiary level of education respectively. The occupational distribution of the respondents shows that 80(25.00%) were farmers, 100(31.30%) were business women, and 140(43.80%) were civil servants. 300(93.80%) of the participants were nursing mothers whereas 20(6.30%) were not nursing mothers. 300(93.8%) of the participants agreed that they are aware of exclusive breastfeeding and 20(6.3%) said no awareness. The findings also revealed that 250(78.10%) of the participants do not breastfed their child / children while 70(21.90%) agreed that they do. 20(6.30%) of the respondents agreed that they carried out exclusive breastfeeding and 300(93.80%) did not. 280(87.50%) of the participants who are working class women said they preferred non-breastfeeding methods of child’s nutrition.