PRACTICE AND CHALLENGES OF EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING AMONG BREASTFEEDING MOTHERS IN RURAL AND URBAN COMMUNITIES OF OGBOMOSO, OYO STATE, NIGERIA.
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Nigeria is one of the highest contributions to child mortality. Malnutrition is identified as one of the major causes. Mother’s practice and challenges regarding breastfeeding were evaluated in Ogbomoso Oyo state. A detailed questionnaire was used to survey 309 people, roughly distributed between rural (50.2%) and urban (49.8%) region. The study discovered that breastfeeding practice were better in rural area compared to urban settings, despite urban mother generally having better knowledge. Certain knowledge gap was found, especially with practice of exclusive breastfeeding. Higher percentage (63.1%) practiced and currently practicing EBF, (28.5%) did not practice EBF while (8.4%) have no response. Significant correlation between breastfeeding habits and socio-demographic variables were found in the study, with ethnicity (P = 0.000), education (p= 0.014) and religion (p= 0.008) showing the strongest relationship. Frequently encountered obstacles to the best practices for nursing infants were ignorance (23.9%), cultural prejudices (14.9%) and difficulties relating to one’s line of work (12.3%). Remarkably, just 48.5% of workplace offered assistance to employees who breastfed. The study concluded that there are still major obstacles to the breastfeeding practice especially in urban areas such as work commitments and lack of support, which may be hindering optimal breastfeeding. The study suggested focused initiatives to improve breastfeeding behavior in rural and urban areas such as increased work place assistance and culturally responsive education programs. The result will encourage government at all levels and other stakeholders to continue intensified exclusive breastfeeding sensitization with more emphasis on the urban dwellers whose practices are low.
KEYWORD: practice, breastfeeding information, breastfeeding mothers, exclusive breastfeeding and challenges of breastfeeding.
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