Assessment of breastfeeding knowledge and practices among working mothers in the federal capital territory Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20185222Keywords:
Breastfeeding, Complementary feeding, Knowledge, Practice, Working mothersAbstract
Background: Inadequate infant feeding practices is a major contributor to the high burden of childhood morbidity and mortality in many countries. Female participation in the labour sector has increased and many of them return to work soon after giving birth posing a significant barrier to breastfeeding. This study assessed the knowledge and practice of breastfeeding among working mothers in the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was done among 360 working mothers selected by multistage sampling technique. Quantitative and qualitative data were collective using interviewer-administered questionnaire and key informant interview guide, respectively. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Scientific Solutions (SPSS) version 21.0 and significant level was set at p<0.05.
Results: Two hundred and seventy-six (76.7%) of the respondents had good knowledge of breast feeding. More than three-quarters (77.2%) initiated breastfeeding within one hour of birth, 201 (55.8%) practiced exclusive breastfeeding correctly and 201 (55.8%) introduced complementary foods on time. Median duration of breastfeeding was 14.6 months. Less than half of them (41.7%) had good overall practice of breastfeeding. Level of education, sector of work, knowledge of breastfeeding and availability of on-site crèche were significantly associated with practice of breastfeeding. Common barriers to breastfeeding included poor spousal support, no paid maternity leave and non-availability of nearby crèches. Most of the organizations observed had a breast feeding policy.
Conclusions: This study revealed a gap between the knowledge and practice of adequate breastfeeding among the respondents and identified some perceived barriers to optimal breastfeeding.
References
World Health Organization. Children: reducing mortality. Key fact, September 2018. www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ children-reducing moratality#_ftnref1. Accessed 30 September 2018.
World Health Organization. Infant and Young Child Feeding. Fact Sheet. February 2018. Accessed 30 September 2018.
Black RE, Victora CG, Walker SP. Maternal and child undernutrition and overweight in low-income and middle-income countries. The Lancet. 2013;382(9890):427-51.
World Health Organization. Exclusive breastfeeding for six months best for babies everywhere. Available at: http://www.who/statements/2011/ breastfeeding. Accessed 30 September 2018.
Marcel Y, Labbok M, Soeters H, Chalachala J, Lapika B, Vitta B, et al. Implementing the “Ten steps to successful Breast feeding in Kinshasa, DRC. The Lancet Global Health. 2015;3(9):1-24.
Gupta A, Dadhich JP, Suri S. Infant Malnutrition/Breastfeeding. Reference Module in Biomedical Sciences: Elsevier. 2015.
Eidelman AI, Schanler RJ, Johnston M. Breastfeeding and the use of human milk. Pediatrics. 2012;129(3):e827-41.
Victoria CG, Bahl R, Barros AJD, Franca GVA, Hortons S, Krasevec J et al. Breastfeeding in the 21st century: epidemiology, mechanisms and lifelong effect. The Lancet Series Breastfeeding. 2016;387(10017):475-90.
Rollins NC, Bhandari N, Hajaebhoy N, Horton S, Lutter CK, Martines JC et al. Why invest and what will it take to improve breastfeeding practices. The Lancet Series Breastfeeding 2016;387(10017):491-504.
Mullany L. Breastfeeding patterns, time to initiation and mortality risk among newborns in southern Nepal. The Journal of Nutrition. 2008;(138):599-603.
World Health Organization. Evidence for the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding. Division of Child health and Development. 2008;98:9.
World Health Organization. Global strategy on infant and young child feeding. WHO/UNICEF 2002;6.
Federal Ministry of Health. National Policy on Infant and Young Child Feeding in Nigeria, Department of Family Health, Federal Ministry of Health Abuja. 2010
World Health Organization. The State of Breastfeeding in 33 Countries. Geneva: WHO, 2010. Available at: http://www.worldbreastfeeding trends.org. Accessed 30 September 2018.
Cai X, Wardlaw T, Brown DW. Global trends in exclusive breastfeeding. Int Breastfeed J. 2012;7(1):12.
National Population Commission (NPopC) [Nigeria] and ICF International. 2014. Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2013;Abuja, Nigeria, and Rockville, Maryland, USA: NPC and ICF International.
Popkin BM, Richard E, Akin J, Yamamoto M. Breast-feeding determinants in low-income countries. Medical Anthropology. 2012;7(1):1-31.
Huffman SL. Determinants of breastfeeding in developing countries: Overview and policy implications. Studies in family planning. 2012;15(4):170-82.
Danielle W, Anneka J. Female employees’ perception of organizational support for breastfeeding at work: finding from Australian health service workplace. International Breastfeeding Journal, 2011;6:19.
National Bureau of Statistics. 2015 Statistical report on women and men in Nigeria. November 2016.
National Population Commission (NPopC) Nigeria. 2006 Population and Housing Census of the Federal Republic of Nigeria: Population distribution by age, sex and occupation in major groups (State & LGA);Priority Table Volume XX. April 2012. http://www.population.gov.ng/index.php/fct-abuja. Accessed 26th September 2016
Cochran WG. Sampling techniques. 3rd Edition. 1977, New York: John Wiley & Sons.
Onah S, Osuorah DI, Ebenebe J, Ezechukwu C, Ekwochi U, Ndukwu I. Infant feeding practices and maternal socio-demographic factors that influence practice of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers in Nnewi South-East, Nigeria: a cross-sectional and analytic study. Int. Breastfeed J. 2014;9:6.
Oche, MO, Umar AS, Ahmed H. Knowledge and Practice of Exclusive Breastfeeding in Kware, Nigeria. African Health Sciences, 2011;11:518-23.
Kramer MS. The Optimal Duration of Exclusive Breastfeeding: A Systematic Review Document produced by the Department of Child and Adolescent Health. Geneva: Geneva: World Health Organization. 2002.
Agbo HA, Envuladu EA, Adams HS, Inalegwu E, Okoh E, Agba A, et al. Barriers and facilitators to the practice of exclusive breast feeding among working class mothers: a study of female resident doctors in tertiary health institutions in Plateau State. J Med Res. 2013;2(1):112-6.
Osibogun OO, Olufunlayo TF, Oyibo SO. Knowledge, attitude and support for exclusive breastfeeding among bankers in Mainland Local Government in Lagos State, Nigeria. Int Breastfeeding J. 2018;13:38.
Afrose L, Banu B, Ahmed KR, Khanom K. Factors associated with knowledge about breastfeeding among female garment workers in Dhaka city. World Health Organization South-east Asia J Pub Health. 2012;1:249-55.
Ouyang Y, Xu Y, Zhang Q. Survey on breastfeeding among Chinese female physicians and nurses. Nursing & Health Sciences, 2012;14(3):298-303.
World Health Organization. Global Health Observatory: Early initiation and Exclusive breastfeeding. 2014. Available from: http://www.who.int/gho/child_health/prevention/breastfeeding_text/en. Accessed October 1, 2015.
Apanga PA. A Review on Facilitators and Barriers to Exclusive Breastfeeding in West Africa. Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare, 2014;4(24):9-15
Ma J-Q, Zhou L-L, Hu Y-Q, Liu J-R, Liu S-S, Zhang J, Sheng X-Y. A summary index of infant and child feeding practices is associated with child growth in urban Shanghai. BMC Public Health 2012;12: 568.
Bartz S, Freemark M. Pathogenesis and prevention of type 2 diabetes: parental determinants, breastfeeding, and early childhood nutrition. Curr Diab Rep 2012;12:82-7.
Ojong IN, Chiotu CN, Nlumanze FF. Factors influencing the practice of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers in tertiary health facility in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. Am J Nursing Sci. 2015;4(1):16-21.
Sholeye OO, Abosede OA. Exclusive Breastfeeding and Its Associated Factors among Mothers in Sagamu, Southwest Nigeria. Journal of Health Science 2015;5(2):25-31.
Marina L. Johnston and Noreen Esposito. Barriers and Facilitators for Breastfeeding among Working Women in the United States. JOGNN. 2007;6(1):9-20.
Chen YC, Wu YC, Chie WC. Effects of work-related factors on the breastfeeding behavior of working mothers in a Taiwanese semi-conductor manufacturer: a cross-sectional survey. BMC Public Health. 2006;6:160.
Gatrell CJ. Secrets and lies: breastfeeding and professional paid work. Soc Sci Med. 2007;65:393-404.
Heymann J, Raub A, Earle A. Breastfeeding policy: a globally comparative analysis. Bulletin of the World Health Organization. 2013;91:398-406.
International Labour Organization (ILO). ILO Gender Network Handbook, Section 1. C183 – Maternity Protection Convention, 2000 (No. 183). 2006.
