CHALLENGES OF EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING AMONG WORKING MOTHERS IN ABAKILIKI EBONYI STATE
Abstract
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for
the first six months of life and continuation of breastfeeding and adequate
complementary foods for up to two years of age or beyond. The objective of this
study was to assess the challenges of exclusive breastfeeding among working
mothers in Alex Ekwueme University Teaching Hospital, Abakiliki., Ebonyi State.
Using a descriptive research design and a WHO adopted questionnaire, data was
collected from 364 respondents, presented in frequency tables, interpreted and
analyzed using the statistical production for service solution (SPSS).
Majority of the respondents (62.4%) have good knowledge on exclusive
breastfeeding and most (63%) got their information from the hospital, likewise
majority (59.8%) have good practice of breastfeeding. The most challenging factors
of exclusive breastfeeding identify in this study were: health condition of the
mother (58.7%), health condition of the baby (52.4%), cracked or sore nipples
(39.2%), inadequate production of milk (36.9%) and work schedule (30.2%). there
is a significant relationship between knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding and its
practice among working mothers attending antenatal clinic in Alex Ekwueme
University Teaching Hospital, Abakiliki., Ebonyi State. Similarly there is a
significant relationship between practice of exclusive breastfeeding and
respondents’ educational qualification(p= 0.048).). In conclusion, there is good
knowledge of EBF among mothers attending AEFUTHA. Health sector should
mandate that proper health education is carried out in hospitals for pregnant women
receiving antenatal care in their facilities and Nurses/Midwives should encourage
and ensure post-partum care is adequately given to both the mother and baby.
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