KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES, AND DETERMINANTS OF EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING PRACTICES AMONG BREASTFEEDING MOTHERS IN ATAKUNMOSA EAST LGA, OSUN STATE

Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for the first six months of life is strongly recommended by the World Health Organization due to its critical role in infant health and development. Maternal knowledge, attitudes, and various sociocultural and socioeconomic factors significantly influence EBF practices. This study assessed maternal knowledge, attitudes, and other possible determinants of EBF practices among breastfeeding mothers with infants under six months in Atakunmosa East Local Government Area (LGA), Osun State, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed, involving 120 lactating mothers attending postnatal clinics at primary health centers within the LGA. Data were collected using a structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire comprising both closed and open-ended questions. The study investigated key socio-demographic variables to understand their relationship with EBF knowledge, attitudes, and practices. The results show that majority of the participants were between age 41 and above, indicating a predominantly mature and potentially experienced maternal population. Educational attainment was relatively high, with 41.7% of respondents having tertiary education and 41.7% secondary education, both of which are associated with improved health-seeking behaviors and informed infant feeding choices. Most mothers were self-employed (65.8%). Furthermore, a significant proportion (81.7%) were married. Health facilities were the primary source of breastfeeding information for 91.7% of the participants, while only 0.8% relied on social media. Cultural influence was reported by 48.3% of mothers and spousal support was notably low, with only 30% of respondents reporting strong encouragement from their husbands. Although employment status was associated with positive breastfeeding attitudes among self-employed and unemployed mothers (67–71%), the relationship was not statistically significant (χ² = 14.963, df = 8, p = 0.060). Mothers seeking employment exhibited the highest proportion of negative attitudes (40%). Furthermore, neither maternal age nor religious affiliation was significantly associated with EBF knowledge or attitudes (p > 0.05), suggesting that these variables may play a less prominent role in influencing breastfeeding behavior compared to education and healthcare engagement. In conclusion, this study underscores the importance of improving maternal education, strengthening antenatal and postnatal counseling, addressing cultural misconceptions, and promoting spousal support to enhance exclusive breastfeeding practices. Interventions targeting these determinants are essential for advancing maternal and child health outcomes in rural Nigerian settings.