Author(s)

Christopher Bismarck Eke¹, Vina Okafor², Beckie N. Tagbo³, Nnamdi Benson Onyire⁴, Francis Ikechukwu Ukekwe⁵, Uzoamaka Vivian Muoneke^1*

¹Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria/University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria.
²Institute of Maternal and Child Health, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria.
³Institute of Child Health/Department of Paediatrics, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria.
⁴Department of Paediatrics, Ebonyi State University/Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
⁵Department of Morbid Anatomy, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria/University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria.

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 < 0.05). 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 <6 months among respondents. 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.

Predictors of Exclusive Breast Feeding Duration, Mother-Child Pair

Eke, C. , Okafor, V. , Tagbo, B. , Onyire, N. , Ukekwe, F. and Muoneke, U. (2019) Predictors of Exclusive Breastfeeding Duration among Mothers Attending Immunization Clinic in a Tertiary Health Facility in Enugu, Nigeria. Open Journal of Pediatrics, 9, 62-74. doi: 10.4236/ojped.2019.91007.