Knowledge Of Exclusive Breastfeeding Research Articles

Exclusive breastfeeding: an exploratory thematic analysis of the perspectives of breastfeeding mothers and significant others in the Tamale metropolis of Northern Ghana

IntroductionExclusive breastfeeding is widely recognized as the optimal way to feed infants due to its numerous health benefits for both the child and the mother. Despite its advantages, Ghana is still far from attaining World Health Organization (WHO) recommended rates. This study is aimed at exploring the knowledge attitude and practices, where the practices hinged on facilitators, barriers, and sociocultural perspectives of breastfeeding mothers and significant others on exclusive breastfeeding.MethodsThis study employed an ethnographic thematic analysis framed by the socioecological model (SEM). Thematic analysis was paired with focus group discussions (FGDs). The study participants were recruited purposively by employing a snowball sampling technique with the assistance of community health volunteers. Three (3) FGDs were formed, with 10 participants in each group, to gather perspectives from breastfeeding mothers and significant others (partners and grandmothers) in three communities with Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds within the Tamale metropolis. With an interview guide, all FGDs were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim, and translated from local dialects to English. The emerging themes were used in writing a narrative account, guided by the principles of thematic analysis.ResultsThis study identified three thematic areas: knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF); attitudes toward EBF and practices of EBF (facilitators, barriers, and sociocultural practices). There was some knowledge disparity among lactating mothers despite the overall high knowledge and subpar attitudes of some mothers. The practice of exclusive breastfeeding was substandard. The major hindrances identified were cultural barriers propagated by partners/husbands and grandmothers; the belief that the weather here does not support EBF; and the need for spiritual herbs in infancy. Supportive healthcare providers helped increase the practice of exclusive breastfeeding. Some support also came from partners and husbands, and some mothers showed unique positive behaviors by exclusively breastfeeding.ConclusionThis study revealed that while exclusive breastfeeding education has been ongoing for decades, sociocultural norms still influence mothers to deviate from WHO recommendations. Public education is recommended to dispel misconceptions surrounding exclusive breastfeeding, develop a food galactagogue to help with breastmilk volumes and create a supportive environment that empowers mothers and families to make informed choices that optimize the health and well-being of both infants and mothers.

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

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.

Assessment of knowledge, attitude, practice and barriers of exclusive breastfeeding among nursing mothers in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State

Introduction: Over the years, breastfeeding has been a universal means of feeding infants and a common feature of all cultures since the survival of mankind. It is a phenomenon that is deeply rooted in the tradition of human culture. Although, breastfeeding practices have fluctuated over the years, it is widely regarded as an unequalled way of providing ideal nutrition for the healthy growth and development of infants. This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude, practice and some barriers of exclusive breastfeeding among nursing mothers in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State. Method: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study to assess the knowledge, attitude, practice and barriers of nursing mothers towards Exclusive Breast Feeding (EBF). An interviewer-self-administered pretested questionnaire was used to collect data on maternal knowledge, Attitude, Practice and barriers of EBF. The modified Blooms criteria was adapted to grade knowledge, attitude and practice as either Good or poor. Statistical significance was considered at 95% confidence interval. Results: The results from this study showed that nursing Mother’s knowledge of EBF was good, 84.0% of the respondents displayed good knowledge of EBF, good attitude towards EBF was at 54.7% and the practice of EBF was 67.3%. Notable barriers to EBF includes, poor knowledge of EBF among nursing mothers (75.0%), followed by concurrent breast disease 6 months post-natal (66.7%), next was women who have never attended Antenatal Care Clinic (ANC) 62.5%. Conclusion: These findings suggest good knowledge and practice of EBF, however there is need to institute intervening measures aimed at reducing barriers associated with EBF in the study community.

A Mobile Gaming App to Train Teenage Mothers on Appropriate Child Feeding Practices: Development and Validation Study.

Undernutrition is an underlying factor in nearly 50% of 1 million estimated annual deaths among Nigerian children aged <5 years. Inappropriate maternal infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices are basic contributors to child undernutrition. Teenage motherhood exacerbates the problem of inadequate child feeding. One possible intervention method to improve IYCF knowledge and practices of teenage mothers is the use of mobile gaming technologies. Despite extreme poverty in low- and middle-income countries, a ubiquity of mobile phone networks exists. This study aims to develop and validate a mobile gaming app, called BabyThrive, to train Nigerian teenage mothers on appropriate IYCF practices. To identify gaps in current IYCF practices in northern Nigeria, we conducted an extensive search of the literature and held 2 focus group interviews with 16 teenage mothers with low-income status. An initial app content design was then created, and content validity was established by 10 nutrition experts. Next, we developed an app prototype, which was assessed for quality by 7 nutrition and mobile gaming experts and evaluated for usability by 90 teenage mothers from rural areas in Abuja, the country's capital. The final app, BabyThrive, is a 2D mobile game that is fully functional offline and available in English as well as Hausa, which is commonly spoken in northern Nigeria. The efficacy of the BabyThrive app was assessed using IYCF knowledge scores obtained from the administration of the validated Teen Moms Child Feeding Questionnaire for Sub-Saharan Africa. Construct validity was established via crossover design by comparing the total IYCF knowledge scores of the teenage mothers obtained after a verbal training program and BabyThrive app use. Large proportions of the study participants were married (53/90, 59%) and had no personal income (63/90, 70%). The mean quality rating for the BabyThrive app was 4.3 (SD 0.39) out of 5.0. High levels (>80%) of usability and user satisfaction were documented. Knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding (P<.001) and total knowledge scores (P=.002) were significantly higher in the BabyThrive group than in the verbal training group. The IYCF knowledge scores obtained from both groups showed coherence, with a statistically significant Spearman correlation coefficient of 0.50 (P<.001). This research developed and validated a novel, offline mobile gaming app. It will be an easy, effective, and acceptable method to disseminate critical knowledge on IYCF practices to teenage mothers in rural Nigeria.

ANALYSIS OF STUNTING INCIDENTS IN TODDLER CHILDREN

Stunting is a condition of failure to thrive in children under five years old. In 2023, there will still be 45 stunting cases and 52 underweight toddlers. This study aims to determine the factors associated with the incidence of stunting in children under five at the Seri Tanjung Community Health Center, Ogan Ilir Regency in 2024. The design of this research is quantitative with a cross-sectional approach. The population of this study were parents of children under five who were seeking treatment at the Seri Tanjung Community Health Center in 2024. The sample in this study was 95 people. The sampling method uses purposive sampling. This research was carried out on 10 -20 February 2024. Data was collected using a questionnaire. Bivariate data analysis used the Chi-Square test and multivariate logistic regression. The results of the research show that there is a relationship between age (p value 0.040), exclusive breastfeeding (p value 0.002) and LBW (p value 0.047) with the incidence of stunting in children under five at the Seri Tanjung Community Health Center in 2024. There is no relationship between gender (p value 0.075), employment (p value 0.12) and income (p value 0.823) with the incidence of stunting in children under five at the Seri Tanjung Community Health Center in 2024. The most dominant factor with the incidence of stunting in children under five at the Seri Tanjung Community Health Center in 2024 is exclusive breast milk (OR 0.210 ), if you don't provide exclusive breast milk, you have a 0.210 times risk of stunting compared to giving exclusive breast milk. The conclusion is that there is a relationship between age, exclusive breastfeeding and LBW. Community health centers need to provide counseling every two months in an effort to increase parents' knowledge of stunting and provide counseling guidance to parents regarding knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding.

Effectiveness of Husbands' Support Exclusive Breastfeeding Facebook Programme During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The exclusive breastfeeding rate for six months in the Northeast region of Thailand has recently significantly decreased, in contrast to all other regions in Thailand. Facebook is widely used worldwide to enhance knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours that support breastfeeding. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of a Facebook programme for husbands' support of exclusive breastfeeding during the COVID-19 pandemic. We employed a quasi-experimental study design conducted from September 2020 to November 2021. Data were collected from two tertiary hospitals in Thailand, involving a total of 72 participants-36 in the experimental group and 36 in the control group. These participants were husbands of postpartum women admitted to the postpartum wards. Four research instrument were the demographic questionnaire, the Husband's EBF Knowledge, Husband's EBF Attitude, and Husband's EBF Behavior Questionnaires. Demographic data were analysed using frequency distribution, percentages, and the Chi-square test. The mean difference in husbands' exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) knowledge scores was analysed using an independent samples t-test. At baseline, there was no significant difference in husbands' exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) knowledge scores between the experimental and control groups (p = 0.82). By the 1st month, there was a significant difference in the mean scores of husbands' EBF knowledge between the two groups (p < 0.01). However, the mean score of attitude at 6-month (mean=108.03, SD=19.89) was higher than the mean score of behaviour at baseline (mean=101.81, SD=17.99), but it was not significant (p=0.40). In addition, the different score of behaviour among baseline (mean=65.86, SD=7.02) and 6-month (mean=68.58, SD=10.42) was not significant (p=0.24). The findings suggest that the Facebook programme is an effective platform for conveying exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) knowledge to husbands in Northeast Thailand during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Determinants of Exclusive Breastfeeding Practices among Mothers of 6-24 Months-Old Infants in Padang City, Indonesia

The practice of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) can reduce mortality and morbidity rates in children and supports optimal growth and development in children. The practice of EBF influenced by various predisposing factors, supporting factors and reinforcing factors. This study aimed to evaluate the determinants of exclusive breastfeeding practices among mothers of infants 6-24 months old infants in Padang. This case control study conducted at Padang with 200 mothers, consisting of 100 mothers of case groups and 100 mothers of control groups. Maternal and infant characteristics, family characteristics, predisposing factors, supporting factors and reinforcing factors, and exclusive breastfeeding were collected for this study. Chi square and binary logistic regression were used to the data analysis. Results showed that mother's occupation, exclusive breastfeeding knowledge and parent’s support were the most influencing determinants for exclusive breastfeeding.

Factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding knowledge and practices in a tertiary hospital of Central India

Background: Breastfeeding is a behavioural act of the mother, one that is affected by demographic, socioeconomic, and faith factors as well as by cultural traditions and beliefs. However, there is little scientific literature on potential gaps between knowledge and standard practices regarding exclusive breastfeeding and its predictors among mothers in central India. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted to explore the knowledge, perceptions, practices, and the associated factors of exclusive breastfeeding among urban and rural mothers at a tertiary hospital of central India. Results: A total of 500 post-natal mothers at the study hospital were interviewed to assess their knowledge and practices of exclusive breastfeeding. The study revealed that knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding was 47% while breastfeeding practices for up to six months of babies was reported by only 15% of participants. Breastfeeding within one hour of birth was reported by 31% of mothers. About 62% did not feed colostrum, while 57% fed their baby pre-lacteal feed. Mothers belonging to a rural community, living in joint family, literate, employed, better-off economic status, multigravida, having a previous history of vaginal delivery, and male child, and those counselled regarding breastfeeding during ANC visits had higher knowledge and better practices of exclusive breastfeeding. Conclusions: The findings of the study suggest an urgent need for regular counselling in ANC clinics to promote exclusive breastfeeding among women and their family caregivers. Breastfeeding awareness education programs for all pregnant women are recommended to ensure that mothers learn best practices regarding breastfeeding and its benefits.

Prenatal breastfeeding education (PBE) and breastfeeding counseling (BC) influence the prenatal exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) preparation

Introduction: Pregnant women frequently exhibit varied behaviors, such as having a lot of questions, showing insecurity, and fear. Objective: Pregnant women frequently exhibit varied behaviors, such as having a lot of questions, showing insecurity, and fear. As a result, their sensitivity and susceptibility to social expectations surrounding their capacity to breastfeed are increased. This study aims to assess the different knowledge and skills of breastfeeding counseling (BC) on health personnel, and to assess differences in intent, knowledge, prenatal self-efficacy, and prenatal professional support in third-trimester pregnant women. Methods: The study was randomized by applying a pre-test and post-test design in the health worker group and the post-test only control group in the group of pregnant women. A comparative test was done by comparing the intervention indicator between the treatment group and control group using t-test, one-way ANOVA, post hoc test, and chi-square test at a 95% significance level (p &lt; 0.05). Results: There was a difference in the mean score of EBF knowledge, 26.85 95% CI (19.94–33.76) and BC skills, 13.17 95% CI (25.85–36.48) health workers at post-test and pre-test. The comparison of intergroup relations between pregnant women group with EBF intention in Group A, OR 6.83 95% CI (4.10–11.36), and in Group B, OR 1.86 95% CI (1.15–3.01), to the control group. Conclusion: There is a difference in intention, mean breastfeeding knowledge score, prenatal self-efficacy, and support of prenatal breastfeeding preparation between groups of third-trimester pregnant women.

Prevalence of Exclusive Breastfeeding among Nursing Mothers in Afijio Local Government Area, Southwest, Nigeria: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: Exclusive breastfeeding is public health intervention strategy for child health development and growth from birth to weaning period. It is recommended for nursing mothers during Health promotion sessions by Health Educators according to WHO AND UNICEF guidelines at various health facilities. Nigeria recorded 17.5% prevalence rate of exclusive breastfeeding despite regional variations. This is relatively low to WHO recommendations. Hitherto no study has been conducted in Afijio Local Government, South west of Nigeria for prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding. Hence the aim of this study is to evaluate Knowledge, Altitude and Practice of exclusive breastfeeding by distribution of questionnaires to nursing mothers in Afijio Local Government areas. Methodology: a cross sectional study of randomly selected 172 nursing mothers from Ilora, Awe, Jobele/ Akinmoorin and Fiditi of Afijio Local Government Area. Data analysis was employed by frequency, relative frequency and simple percentage. Results: A total number of 172 nursing mothers were interviewed with mean age of 33 ± 4.0 years. The literacy level is 97%. The employment rate is 65%. Formal education received on knowledge of exclusive breast feeding by respondents (Prevalence) is 89.0 %. The altitude of the participants on benefits of exclusive breastfeeding is 78.5%. Finally, practice of breastfeeding especially within first hours of birth is 84%. Conclusion: There is need for more support from local government’s health authority on exclusive breast feeding in Afijio Local Government Areas. Thus training courses should be provided to skilled birth attendants for skilled support to breastfeeding mothers.

Assessing exclusive breastfeeding knowledge and practice among women in Mbeya, Southwest Tanzania: A cross-sectional study

IntroductionInadequate infant feeding practices pose a significant social and economic development barrier and a serious health threat for children under five worldwide. Although over 90 % of African children aged 0–5 years are breastfed, in many countries, including Tanzania, less than half of infants aged 0–6 months receive exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) as recommended by the World Health Organization. ObjectiveThe primary objective of this study is to assess the knowledge and practices regarding EBF among women in Mbeya. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among women with children under six months attending the Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) clinic at Mbeya Zonal Referral Hospital (MZRH) in August 2022. Data was collected by face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. Recorded information included age, level of education, marital status, occupation, number of children and other factors associated with EBF. ResultsOf 371 respondents, 77.4 % had prior knowledge of EBF. However, only 52.8 % reported practicing it, while 47.2 % did not. Knowledge of EBF was significantly associated with its practice (p < 0.001). The number of children was also significantly associated with EBF practice (p = 0.002). Understanding the importance of breastfeeding was significantly associated with EBF practice (p < 0.001), as did demographic factors (p < 0.001). However, respondent age was not significantly associated with EBF practice (p = 0.643). ConclusionThe study revealed a slightly lower EBF prevalence than the national estimate, indicating a public health concern in Mbeya. Findings highlight the need for continued education and support to promote EBF among women.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers of childbearing age.

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization recommend exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for up to 6 months. Despite the importance of breast milk, EBF is far less prevalent in Nigeria than is recommended for developing countries. Worse still, the odds of EBF practice are very low in rural communities. Hence, the aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of EBF as well as identify the factors associated with EBF practice among mothers of childbearing age in Chamo town, Jigawa State, Nigeria. The study is a cross-sectional design using a questionnaire to assess the required information. The methodology involved the use of simple random sampling to select mothers of reproductive age from Chamo town, which is a rural community located in Jigawa State, Nigeria. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to assess the mother's knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding EBF. Simple and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the factors associated with the practice of EBF. A total of 400 mothers between the ages of 18 and 41 took part in the study. More than half of the participants (57.8%) were between the ages of 26 and 33 and had a primary level of education (30.5%). Only 26.8% of the respondents practice EBF. Those with a tertiary education (AOR = 10.00, p < 0.001), civil servants (AOR = 12.51, p < 0.001), those aware of EBF (AOR = 3.65, p = 0.002), those with correct EBF knowledge (AOR = 4.61, p < 0.001), those with a positive attitude toward EBF demand (AOR = 0.51, p = 0.050), and those who received encouragement from their community (AOR = 9.87, p < 0.001) were more likely to practice EBF. The findings of the study revealed that the majority of the respondents' knowledge, attitude, and practice of EBF were minimal. This shows the need to step up efforts to educate mothers about the advantages of EBF for both their own health and that of their children while they are in the hospital recovering from childbirth.

The effect of family empowerment through education and mentoring on increasing knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding

Providing appropriate education to breastfeeding mothers and their families is essential to ensure a high level of breastfeeding implementation. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of education and mentoring on increasing knowledge about exclusive breastfeeding. This study employed a quasi-experimental design with two groups, one before and one after testing. The research was conducted in one village during March and April 2023, using purposive sampling techniques. Data were collected through questionnaires. Family empowerment interventions in the form of education and mentoring were administered twice with one-week intervals. Data analysis was performed using an independent t-test with p-value &lt; 0,05. The study revealed significant differences in respondents' knowledge after they received educational interventions and guidance. The results showed a p-value of 0.006, which is less than 0.05, indicating a significant difference in respondents' knowledge before and after the intervention. Education and instruction had a positive impact on respondents' knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding. Both the intervention and control groups showed efficacy. Notably, the intervention group displayed a highly significant increase, as evidenced by the significant difference values. In conclusion, family empowerment through education and assistance has a positive effect on increasing knowledge about exclusive breastfeeding. Enhancing family knowledge, skills, and social support can lead to improved optimal breastfeeding practices, enhanced infant health, and reduced infant mortality.

Pengaruh Pendidikan Kesehatan Melalui Video Animasi Terhadap Pengetahuan ASI Eksklusif Pada Ibu Primigravida

Introduction: Based on research by the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI) the number of mothers who have breastfed their children in Indonesia is already high, namely 90% but those who provide exclusively for 6 months are still low at 20%. Breastfeeding is recommended for up to two years. From the preliminary study that the researchers conducted, the knowledge of primigravida mothers in the Carita Health Center area was still lacking. The percentage of exclusive breastfeeding for babies 0-6 months in the Carita Health Center area was still low at 65%. Methods: This method uses an experimental method, a pre-experimental design in the form one group pre-test-post-test design. The sample in this study were primigravida mothers in the working area of the Carita Public Health Center, Pandeglang Regency, totaling 46 people. The sampling technique used in this research is total sampling. The research instrument used a questionnaire. Bivariate analysis using paired t-test. Results: Primigravida mothers' knowledge about exclusive breastfeeding before being given intervention in the Carita Health Center area most of them had less knowledge namely as many as 24 respondents (52,2%). After being given the intervention, most of them had sufficient knowledge namely as many as 26 respondents (56,5%). The results of the paired t-test showed that before and after giving health education through animated video media, the p-value was 0,000 (&lt;0,05). Discussion: There is an effect of health education through animated videos on knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding in primigravida mothers in the Carita Health Center area.

Optimalisasi Pengetahuan Ibu Hamil tentang ASI Eksklusif dengan Pendampingan Kelas Ibu Persiapan Mengasihi di Kota Singkawang

Breast milk is the best and main food for the growth and development of a baby until 6 months old. The results of a global study prove that exclusive breastfeeding reduces deaths due to infection by 88% in infants aged less than 3 months. To increase the use of exclusive breastfeeding, acquainting oneself with the concept of early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF) is necessary. It is considered to have a broad impact on the nutritional status and health of toddlers. The purposes of this community service are to increase the knowledge and understanding of pregnant women about exclusive breastfeeding, EIBF, breastfeeding techniques, and practical breastfeeding in an effort to increase the use of exclusive breastfeeding. The method used was giving education through the lecture method, discussions, demonstrations, and radio broadcasts. This activity targeted pregnant women in their third trimester in Singkawang City.The results of this society's devotion were an average improvement in mothers’ knowledge of Exclusive Breastfeeding from 69.67 to 88.67 after the implementation of the activity, as well as the mother’s interest in implementing IMD and giving Exclusive Breastfeeding. Therefore, it is expected to increase the achievement of the Exclusive Breastfeeding program.

Cessation of exclusive breastfeeding and predictors among infants aged 0-6 months in Ararso district of the Somali region, Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study.

Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is the gold standard of child feeding practice in which the infant only receives breast milk without any additional food or drink, not even water and it lasts up to 6 months after delivery. In the study area, there is a lack of data on the prevalence of cessation of EBF. Community-based cross-sectional study design was used among 292 mothers of infants aged 0-6 months. The data was collected using a pretested structured questionnaire. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were carried out. An odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was used to measure the strength of the association. Statistical significance was declared at P-value <0.05. The prevalence of cessation of EBF was 57.3% with 95% CI [50.9-62.6]. This study showed being employed (working outside the home) (AOR = 2.44; 95% CI [1.32-4.53]), being rural residence (AOR = 1.87; 95% CI [1.05-3.32]), and inadequate knowledge of EBF (AOR = 2:02; 95% CI [1.19-3.43]) were independent predictors of cessation of EBF. Our data identified a higher prevalence of cessation of EBF in the study area compared to most studies in Ethiopia and elsewhere. Efforts on improving knowledge of the importance of EBF particularly in rural areas and support for breastfeeding-employed women are recommended.

Factors Influencing Stunting Incidence

Stunting conditions due to chronic malnutrition and nutritional deficiencies that caused the child to fail to grow according to his age, Stunting prevalence is 21.6% of the number of newborns in Indonesia, and the number of stunting sufferers is increasing due to several factors, one of which is the economy, so that families ignore the nutritional needs of the newborn. The method used in this study is simple random sampling. The number of samples used as respondents was 112 households. There are several factors that influence stunting: the mother's knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding, sanitation of the environment, antenatal care, and visits of health officials based on statistical tests. There is a significant relationship where the p-value value is 0.015 = 0.07; this proves to be a relationship for every factor causing stunting. The conclusion and recommendation of increased stunting incidence are indicators of inequality in health care, so it is expected that health workers should improve nutritional status.

Impact of maternal demographics on knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding among nursing mothers in Ifelodun local government, Nigeria.

Breastfeeding remains the recommended feeding plan for infants however; several factors seem to affect its knowledge and practice. This study aimed at investigating the impact of maternal demographics of age, educational status, religious affiliation and number of parities on knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding among nursing mothers in Ifelodun Local government area, Nigeria. The study employed a descriptive survey method. A total of 206 nursing mothers in Ifelodun Local Government were selected through purposive and random sampling techniques. The participants responded to a researcher-designed questionnaire titled Knowledge of Exclusive Breastfeeding Questionnaire. The psychometric properties of the instrument were established. The data collected were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. For the demographic data, percentage was employed while chi-square statistical tool was employed to test the hypotheses at 0.05 significant level. Nursing mothers in Ifelodun Local Government Area have high knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding (N=76.8%). Also, maternal demographics of age (X2= 25P=0.03), educational status (X2= 62.72; P=0.00), religious affiliation (X2= 11.01; P=0.01) and number of parity (X2= 84.01; P=0.02) have significant impact on mothers' knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding. Nursing mothers in Ifelodun Local Government Area, have knowledge of exclusive breast feeding especially those who are older, literate, Christian; and multi-parous. Maternal demographics should be considered when educating nursing mothers on exclusive breastfeeding.

Exclusive breastfeeding knowledge and practice among nursing mothers in selected healthcare facilities in Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria.

Exclusive breast feeding (EBF) in the first six months of life is recognized as an indispensable component of survival, physical and mental development of children. Despite the enormous benefits of EBF, only 39% of infants less than 6 months of age are exclusively breastfed globally. This study assessed EBF knowledge, practice and associated factors among nursing mothers attending health facilities in Kaduna metropolis. Descriptive and cross-sectional study carried out with the aid of a structured questionnaire at the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital and Gwamna Awwal General Hospital in Kaduna. The participants were recruited by simple random sampling technique with the assistance of trained research assistants for four consecutive weeks in each of the hospital. Data were analysed using SPSS version 16. Majority of the participants were in the age range of 21-30 years. Their main source of information on breastfeeding was from ante-natal clinics (78.3%). Most (86.6%) of the participants had a good knowledge and awareness about EBF, 69.1% of them initiated breastfeeding immediately after birth (within an hour) and 70% of the participants practiced EBF. Insufficient milk, belief that infants require extra fluid, fear of alteration in the breast figure, cultural practice and societal beliefs were identified as the most common barriers to the practice of EBF. Findings from this study showed that most of the participants had a very good knowledge of EBF and are practicing it.

A baseline assessment of the knowledge, attitude, and practices of exclusive breastfeeding among women enrolled in a cluster randomized trial in Anambra State Nigeria

Background: Exclusive breastfeeding has great benefits for both the mother and the child. Few studies have been carried out on interventions to improve Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF) practice by childbearing mothers. No study has formulated and/or implemented a hospital-based maternal counseling guide intervention to improve EBF practice. This baseline study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and practice of EBF on mothers who were enrolled in antenatal clinics for a cluster randomized trial and the disparity in the knowledge of EBF based on lactation, age, sex, and source of income. Methods: We formulated a hospital-based counseling guide on exclusive breastfeeding, which is under implementation by prenatal and nursing mothers, to promote EBF practice in the study area. A cross-sectional study was conducted in two hospitals randomly selected from twelve hospitals in Anambra State. The study was among pregnant women who were in their second trimester. The data collection took place from March to April 2022. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-Square. The test of significance was set at p &lt; 0.05. Results: The control and the intervention arms had an equal number of enrolees (144) each and more than half of the participants were between the ages of 23 – 32 years. The majority of the participants showed adequate knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding as over 90% knew that EBF is important and capable of improving their baby's immunity. The participants demonstrated a positive attitude to exclusive breastfeeding and they had a significantly high level of practice of daily consumption of galactagogues. The study suggested that the majority did not practice breast milk extraction mainly because the process of extraction is painful and some do not know how to carry out the extraction. Conclusion: The mothers have the requisite knowledge of the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding to their infants and themselves. However, they do not practice EBF. Interventions to improve EBF practice should focus on educating mothers on proper breast milk extraction and storage techniques.