CHALLENGES OF EXCLUSIVE BREAST FEEDING AMONG WORKING CLASS WOMEN IN LOWCOST HOUSING ESTATE, UMUAHIA NORTH LGA, ABIA STATE.

Mothers and babies that benefit from exclusive breastfeeding are exceptionally healthy than those who do not. The aim of this study was to determine the Challenges of exclusive breast feeding among working class women in Low-Cost Housing Estate, Umuahia North LGA, Abia State. The Objectives were: Ascertain the knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding, Determining the challenges to exclusive breastfeeding and Determining the measures to improve exclusive breastfeeding among working class mothers in Low-cost Housing Estate, Umuahia North LGA of Abia State. This study was a cross sectional descriptive study which was conducted among 80 mothers using self structured questionnaire and adopting a simple random sample method. The data were analyzed by tallying results in frequency and percentage table. The findings revealed that: Majority, 40(50%) of the respondents agreed that they have a knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding, 47(59%) of the respondents thought it is breastfeeding of child immediately after birth, 36(45%) of the respondents do not Practice exclusive breastfeeding35(43%) of the respondents agreed that self image was a personal factor affecting exclusive breastfeeding, 35(43%) agreed that Husband's decision is a personal factor 35(43%) of the respondents agreed that influence from peers and family was a socio-cultural factor, 39(49%) of the respondents agreed that stress from work is a factor, 50(63%) of the respondents agreed that creating awareness will encourage exclusive breastfeeding,40(50%) of the respondents agreed that government policies on work hours will encourage exclusive breastfeeding,36(45%) of the respondents agreed that treating Breast conditions will encourage exclusive breastfeeding. It was recommended that more awareness should be made on the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding both to the mother and to the baby.