SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC DETERMINANTS OF EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING AMONG WOMEN OF CHILD BEARING AGE IN EMOHUA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF RIVERS STATE.
Abstract
This study investigated socio-demographic determinants of exclusive breastfeeding practice among women of child bearing age in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State. The study was guided by five objectives, five research questions and four hypotheses. A descriptive cross-section design was adopted for the study with the population consisting of all women of child-bearing age. The sample size of the study was 425 and the instrument used for data collection was self-developed and structured questionnaire. A reliability coefficient of 0.82 was high enough and was used for this study. The data analyzed using the statistical products for service solution (SPSS) version 25.0. Simple percentage and frequencies were used. Hypotheses were tested using the Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Z – test Statistics. The results of this study showed there is a significant relationship between socio-economic status and the practice of exclusive breastfeeding (F (2,378) = 0.222, p = 0.101). The finding of this study also showed that among those who practice exclusive breastfeeding, 73 (19.9%) where farmers, 64 (17.5%) were civil servant, 55 (15.0%) were self-employed while 11 (3.0%) were fishers. However, result showed a significant relationship between occupation and the practice of exclusive breastfeeding among women (F (2, 378) = 3.930, P = 0.061). It was concluded that various factors such as socio-economic status, level of education, marital status, occupation, socio-cultural practices and ill health influence exclusive breastfeeding among women of child bearing age. It was recommended among others that federal ministry of Health should establish a breastfeeding support groups so that on discharge from hospitals and clinics, mothers would be referred to them for proper orientation on exclusive breastfeeding practice. The United Nations Children Education fund (UNICEF) should embark on community based intervention through proper counseling by health workers to clear every misconception about exclusive breastfeeding arising from cultural practices which influences exclusive breastfeeding.
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