Social and Bio-Medical Predictors of Exclusive Breastfeeding Among Nursing Mothers in Lagos and Taraba States, Nigeria

Abstract

PurposeAlthough exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is known to have positive consequences for mothers and infants, EBF rate in Nigeria is <25%. This study investigated if social factors were stronger predictors of EBF than bio-medical factors in the metropolitan areas of Lagos and Taraba States. Social factors included mother's education, infant sex, place of birth, and nature of mother's employment, while bio-medical factors included nature of birth (whether vaginal or caesarean section), problems with breast/nipple, breast milk insufficiency, and mother's age. Design and methodsThe study adopted a cross-sectional survey design and mixed method of data collection. From the two states, 500 mothers with babies between 7 and 12 months of age completed a structured questionnaire. Twenty respondents from each state were interviewed using an in-depth interview guide. ResultsEducation (β = 1.743; p < 0.001), infant sex (β = −0.454; p < 0.05), and place of delivery (β = −1.552; p < 0.001) were significant social predictors. Breast milk insufficiency (β = −1.851; p < 0.001) and mother's age (β = 0.064; p < 0.001) were significant bio-medical predictors. When all the eight factors were considered, only two of the three social factors, namely, education and infants' sex, remained significant, while three bio-medical factors, namely, breast milk insufficiency, mother's age, and nature of delivery, were significant. ConclusionsSocial and bio-medical factors co-determine the practice of EBF and must not be considered dichotomous. Practical implicationsInterventions to encourage EBF among Nigerian mothers must focus on education regarding its benefits and correction of misconceptions that breast milk alone is insufficient as an infant's diet.