ABSTRACT
Over time information concerning exclusive breastfeeding has been passed to nursing mothers. This suggests that several information sources such as healthcare personnel’s or hospital attendants, family and friends, facebook, television, radio, newspaper have been used as an important source of communication to nursing mothers. The problem of this study was to investigate the influence of information source on knowledge, attitude and practice of exclusive breastfeeding among nursing mothers in Uyo LGA, Akwa Ibom State.
The study employed the agenda setting theory, the social learning theory and the health belief model as foundations. It equally used the survey method, using questionnaire as research instrument. The study population consisted of nursing mothers attending postnatal care and health talks in Uyo LGA of Akwa Ibom State. Simple random sampling technique was used. The sample size was (N=422). All data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics which was used to discuss five research questions and five hypotheses.
The study revealed that the hospital attendants were rated the highest well known information source, while others such as facebook had the lowest rating. Television, newspaper, radio, family and friends were rated averagely. Most nursing mothers also indicated that they came across messages on exclusive breastfeeding a month and above. They also thought that there was need for improvement. The study also revealed that television, handbills, newspaper, hospital attendants, someone significantly influenced the knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding, while radio did not. All information sources except television did not influence attitude towards exclusive breastfeeding. Also handbills and newspapers did not significantly influence practice of exclusive breastfeeding, while others did.
The study concluded that other information source such as facebook, television, radio, newspaper and family and friends need to be improved upon. The study also recommended that stake holders such as government, media organisations, WHO, UNICEF, need to provide more frequent access to this exclusive breastfeeding information, that way a lot of changes can occur in the practice of exclusive breastfeeding.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Breastfeeding is the very first stage of improving child’s survival. Breast milk as food for infants is very beneficial for the all round growth of a child. It enhances the physical, mental, and social growth of a child. Breast milk contains many nutritional values like antibodies which boost the immunity of a child, prevents child mortality and morbidity. Breast milk has an enormous impact on the health of infants, most especially those who weighed less at birth. It has been discovered that breast milk is far more nutritious than processed milk. Aside from the benefits of breast milk on an infant, breastfeeding creates an inevitable bond between a mother and her child (Heckman J.J, 2011).
World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) recommended breast milk as an ideal food for infants, and that is why in the past decades, these organizations have been encouraging mothers worldwide to embrace the practice of breastfeeding, particularly exclusive breastfeeding (EBF).
Exclusive breastfeeding according to WHO entails feeding an infant with just breast milk (and syrups if need be) for six months and after that period of time give the infant complementary food (Cattaneo et al., 2000). It has been revealed by a study that infants who are not fed with breast milk at the first 60 days of their birth are likely to die from infection than those who are breastfed (WHO, 2014). Exclusive breastfeeding has a dual advantage on both a child and his mother. Apart from ensuring the good health of a child, it saves cost for the mother; as well as prevent her from breast cancer and other related diseases.
However, despite the recommendation of Exclusive breastfeeding by WHO, the rate of Nigerian mothers who practice EBF is fluctuating. A study proved that the rate of children between ages 1-5 who are exclusively fed dropped from 18% in 2003 to 12% in 2008 and 12% in 2010 and returned to 18% in 2010; consequently increasing the rate of child mortality (NPC and ICF macro, 2008). It was still discovered in this study that the number of people who are enlightened about EBF in the urban areas of Nigeria is higher than those in the rural areas and this poses a threat on the importance of EBF (NPC and ICF Macro, 2009).
Not minding the enormous benefits of EBF, Nigerian mothers for reasons best known to them do not practice EBF. Some of them who sluggishly try to practice it might just do it partially not up to six months, while some could be based on their cultural beliefs as some traditions in Nigeria see EBF as being unnecessary and some this obnoxious idea of their breast sagging due to breastfeeding.
Based on the many factors that could hamper the practice of breastfeeding in Nigeria, this study is aimed at discovering the attitude and perception of nursing mothers in Uyo LGA. To know their thoughts on the practice of exclusive breastfeeding .
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Due to the reduction in the rate of breastfeeding among nursing mothers in Nigeria, particularly nursing mothers in Uyo LGA, this study discovered some problems associated with this.
One of such problem is the high level of poverty in the country. Some nursing mothers have this notion that it is only the rich mothers that can practice EBF; reason being that a mother who is breastfeeding must feed very well. She is expected to feed at least 8 times in a day. Considering the economic situation of things, which mother has the food in her kitchen to feed up to such number of times?
In addition to the aforementioned point, in many homes in Nigeria, some mothers are the bread winners in their homes. This makes them go out to hustle for money; thereby not having the needed time for to breast feed their babies.
Another problem of this study is the fact that some cultural beliefs in Nigeria kick against EBF. A good example is the Yoruba culture which so much belief in the giving of an infant some herbs to keep the child healthy. They belief it is unnecessary to feed a child with just breast milk.
Also, the problem of poor sensitization of nursing mothers on the nitty-gritty of EBF poses a challenge, as some nursing mothers have various negative feelings about EBF. This is common to nursing mothers who live in the rural parts of the country.
These are some of the problems observed could affect the attitude and perception of nursing mothers in Uyo LGA towards EBF.
1.3 Objective of the Study
The main objective of this study was to investigate influence of information sources on knowledge, attitude and practice of exclusive breastfeeding amongst nursing mothers, in Uyo LGA, Akwa Ibom State.
The specific objectives are to:
1. identify the sources from which nursing mothers get information about exclusive breastfeeding;
2. ascertain respondents knowledge on exclusive breastfeeding in Uyo LGA, Akwa Ibom State;
3. determine the attitude of respondents towards exclusive breastfeeding in Uyo LGA, Akwa Ibom State;
4. ascertain the practice of exclusive breastfeeding by respondents in Uyo LGA, Akwa Ibom State;
5. examine the influence of intervening demographic variables such as age, religion, academic qualification, employment status, marital status on the practice of exclusive breastfeeding by respondents in Uyo LGA, Akwa Ibom State;
6. determine if information sources of exclusive breastfeeding significantly influence knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding;
7. find out if information sources of exclusive breastfeeding significantly influence attitude to exclusive breastfeeding and
8. find out if information sources of exclusive breastfeeding significantly influence practice of exclusive breastfeeding.
1.4 Research Questions
1. What are the sources from which nursing mothers get information on exclusive breastfeeding in Uyo LGA, Akwa Ibom State?
2. What is knowledge of respondents on exclusive breastfeeding in Uyo LGA, Akwa Ibom State?
3. What is the attitude of respondents towards exclusive breastfeeding in Uyo LGA, Akwa Ibom State?
4. What is the practice of respondents towards exclusive breastfeeding in Uyo LGA, Akwa Ibom State?
5. How do intervening demographic variables such as age, religion, academic qualification, employment status, marital status influence the practice of exclusive breastfeeding by respondents in Uyo LGA, Akwa Ibom State?
6. Do information sources of exclusive breastfeeding significantly influence knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding?
7. Do information sources of exclusive breastfeeding significantly influence attitude to exclusive breastfeeding?
8. Do information sources of exclusive breastfeeding significantly influence practice of exclusive breastfeeding?
1.5 Hypotheses
H01: Respondents’ attitude to exclusive breastfeeding will not be significantly influenced by their knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding got from the information sources.
H02: Respondents practice of exclusive breastfeeding will not be significantly influenced by their knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding got from these information sources.
H03: Information sources of exclusive breastfeeding do not significantly influence knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding.
H04: Information sources of exclusive breastfeeding do not significantly influence attitude to exclusive breastfeeding.
H05: Information sources of exclusive breastfeeding do not significantly influence practice of exclusive breastfeeding.
1.6 Scope of the Study
This study is restricted on the attitude and perception of nursing mothers towards exclusive breastfeeding in Nigeria, with Uyo LGA as a case study.
1.7 Significance of the Study
This study is meant to educate the general public, especially nursing mothers on the benefits of EBF. It is also meant to inform the government that they have a role to play in enlightening the general public, especially nursing mothers on the need to practice EBF.
This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this topic and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other work or study.
1.8 Definition of terms
Attitude: A predisposition or a tendency to respond positively or negatively towards a certain idea, object, person, or situation.
Perception: This is the ability to see, hear, or become aware of something through the senses or the way in which something is regarded, understood, or interpreted.
EBF (Exclusive Breastfeeding): This means that the infant receives only breast milk. No other liquids or solids are given – not even water – with the exception of oral rehydration solution, or drops/syrups of vitamins, minerals or medicines.
WHO (World Health Organization): This is a specialized agency of the United Nations that is concerned with international public health. It was established on 7 April 1948, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund): Is a United Nations’ programme headquartered in New York City that provides humanitarian and developmental assistance to children and mothers in developing countries.