Maternal perception, attitude, knowledge and practices towards exclusive breastfeeding. a case study at Tano north district in the brong-ahafo region of Ghana

Abstract

The practice of not giving breast milk to baby has been connected with unexpected infant death syndrome and other neonatal morbidity and mortality. Mothers who breastfeed their babies have several benefits such as decreased risk of postpartum bleeding and others. In addressing this problem, maternal knowledge and perception towards exclusive breastfeeding was assessed. The objective of this study was to assess maternal perception, knowledge, attitude and practices of exclusive breastfeeding among nursing mothers. Cross sectional study type was used to conduct the study. A semi structured questionnaire was used in the study to collect data from the respondent. Sampling was used to select 100 nursing mothers who are still breastfeeding in the Tano North District. The study revealed maternal knowledge, practices, age, marital status and level of education can influence exclusive breastfeeding. It was revealed that 86% affirming to mature mothers affecting breastfeeding. This means that mature mothers exclusively breastfeed more than experienced mothers and teenagers. It was also revealed that (65%) of mothers affirming to the practice of exclusive breastfeeding because of advice from midwives. However, among the reasons some nursing mothers do not practice exclusive breastfeeding were breast milk alone cannot satisfy the child (82%), suffer from pains in the breast during breastfeeding (11%) and sores on the nipples prevent them from practicing (28%). The study also affirms that babies that were not exclusively breastfed but introduced to infant formulas were susceptible to various disease and infections and were either less or overweight. It is recommended that initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour of life also Infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life to achieve optimal growth, development and health.