TITLE:
Predictors of Exclusive Breastfeeding Duration among Mothers Attending Immunization Clinic in a Tertiary Health Facility in Enugu, Nigeria
AUTHORS:
Christopher Bismarck Eke, Vina Okafor, Beckie N. Tagbo, Nnamdi Benson Onyire, Francis Ikechukwu Ukekwe, Uzoamaka Vivian Muoneke
KEYWORDS:
Predictors of Exclusive Breast Feeding Duration, Mother-Child Pair
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Pediatrics,
Vol.9 No.1,
March
18,
2019
ABSTRACT: Background: Breastfeeding is cost effective means towards the realization of some key
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by the
year 2030 particularly in resource limited settings. The objectives of the
study were to evaluate the predictors of exclusive breastfeeding duration among
mother and child pairs utilizing a tertiary immunization clinic facility. Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study.
Respondents were mother-and-child pairs who were recruited consecutively.
Relevant maternal and child characteristics were collected using a semi-structured
questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20.0 (p
Results: Four hundred and twenty seven mother-child pairs
were studied. Majority of the mothers have at least secondary education, 383
(80.7%). 407 (95.3%) of the mothers fully understood the actual meaning of EBF.
189 (42.7%) reported practicing EBF in their index child for six months.
Maternal perception of insufficient milk production, 52/99 (52.5%) was the most
common reason for practicing EBF for Maternal
education and occupation and gender of the child were significantly associated
with completion of EBF for 6 months
among respondents. Conclusion: EBF duration in the current study is low
and is significantly associated with maternal education, maternal occupation
and gender of the child. Improving girl child education, complementing
baby friendly hospital initiative with baby friendly community initiative
should be adopted to improve EBF duration in our setting.