Abstract

Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is defined as giving breastmilk only to the infant, without any additional food or drink,not even water in the first six months of life,with the exception of mineral supplements, vitamins, or medicines. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of exclusive breastfeeding among the women in the molyko community.

A community based cross-sectional study design was used on 100 women in the molyko community through a convenient sampling technique and the information noted with the use of a pilot tested questionnaire. The data was analyzed using Microsoft excel 2016 and results presented using tables and charts. According to findings, majority were the single accounting to 63(66%) of the respondents and majority of the respondents where for secondary school level with 25(26%) and primary with 5(5%). Majority of babies were put on breast within half an hour accounting to 33(34%) and above 1 hour accounted to 22%.

Majority of the babies were not given anything aside from breast milk 19(20%),24(25%) were given breastmilk along with formula. Majority of these babies were still breastfeeding accounting to 70%. 39(40%) of the others believed in EBF being beneficial to the children. 50(53%) believed that exclusive breastfeeding is feeding with breastmilk and water, 17% believed that cow’s milk is not suitable for new born babies, 19(20%) believed that breastmilk is suitable. 36% were using formula feeding , 64% were not using it. 43% believed that breastfed babies are healthier than formula fed babies. And 53% believed that exclusive breastfeeding destroys figure.

Though the practice of breastfeeding was not high and majority of the respondents were aware of EBF, the exclusive breastfeeding rate was not sufficient. Based on the study findings, it was concluded that: Study participants have a good knowledge and positive attitude regarding exclusive breastfeeding’s health benefits for mothers and baby, participants knowledge level is positively correlated with their age and attitude towards exclusively breastfeeding their babies although they have good knowledge regarding its importance such as destruction of mother’s figure.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Breastfeeding is one of the oldest and healthiest practices in the world but as the world changes; women sometimes need information and support to keep breastfeeding their babies (August et al. 2010).

Today, the World Health Organization (2009) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months postpartum and the use of breast milk as a complementary form of feeding for up to 2 years in order to confer optimal health benefits to the mother and child effectively (Jenifer et al., 2012).

However, a good mental, emotional and physical collaboration between the mother and her newborn is needed for desired outcome in the practice of exclusive breastfeeding (Khreshe, 2011). Deciding how an infant will be fed is a complex decision involving various social, psychological, emotional and environmental factors (Arora et al., 2000).

Exclusive breastfeeding that gives breast milk only and no other liquids except drops or syrups with vitamins, minerals, supplements or medicine is superior to non- exclusive breastfeeding with a protective effect against mortality and morbidity. Breastfeeding plays a substantial role in improving nutrition, education and maternal and child health and survival.

Breastfeeding is of great significance for the infant as it has been associated increased intelligence, cognitive ability, school performance, productivity, earning ability and social development thus breastfeeding has the single largest potential impact on child mortality and mobility of any preventive interventions and it also provides the infants with superior nutritional content that is capable of improving the immunity and possible reduction in future health care spending ( WHO, 2017) where child malnutrition is rising and childhood diseases such as diarrhea, pneumonia, and measles are very rampant. Exclusive breastfeeding bestows immunity against illnesses and decreases children’s risk of becoming overweight or obese. Nearly half of all diarrhea episodes and one third of all respiratory infections would be prevented with exclusive breastfeeding ( Victoria, et al, 2016 )

Good nutrition is fundamental to a child’s health but its importance during the early years increases manifold as the weight gain during the first year is dramatic, from about 3kg at birth to 10kg at the age of one year. Along with the physical growth, there are qualitative changes in child’s behavior and social relationship that can be affected by the nutritional status of the child

Breastfeeding is the most natural means by which a baby receives nourishment. In most society, women usually feed their own babies, being the most natural convenient and cost effective method of feeding a baby. However, the situations where mother can’t suckle her own baby, for example she may have died, because unwell or otherwise could not provide breast milk for her baby. Before the availability of infant formula, in these situations unless a wet nurse was available, the baby may die and infant mortality rates were high. Breastfeeding itself began to be seen as a common ; too common to be done by royalties even in the ancient societies wet nurses were employed to breastfeed the children of royal families. This attitude extended overtime particularly in Western Europe where babies of noble women were often nursed by nurses. Lower-class women breastfed their infant and used wet nurses only in cases where they were unable to feed their own infant (Nathoo and Tasnim, 2009).

The use of infant formulas increased, which accelerated after World War 2. From the 1960s onwards, breastfeeding experienced revival that continued into the 2000s thought negative attitudes towards breastfeeding were still entrenched up to the 1990s. Mother’s milk was considered best for babies but the quality of breast milk was found to be varied. The quality was considered good only if the mother had a good diet, had physical exercise and was mentally balanced (Gordon et al.,1994).

According to Melvin, (2008), nutrition is the sum total of the processes involved in the intake and utilization of food substances by living’ organisms including ingestion, digestion, absorption, transport and metabolism of nutrients found in food. Adequate nutrition during early childhood is fundamental to the development of each child’s full potential. It has established that the period from birth to two years of age is a” critical window” for the promotion of optimal growth, health and overall survival of children (Ali et al., 2006)

WHO now recommends the introduction of complementary foods around the six month of life, instead of between the fourth and six months as previously recommended (Infant and young child nutrition,2001). During the weaning process, the quantity, type and choice of food items may not be ideal for the adequate growth of the child, as a weaned child is more susceptible to infections because of the loss of anti-infective and protective properties of human milk thus exposing infants to increased infections particularly diarrhea related diseases. It may also lead to malnutrition, or infant nutrition and adversely affect the growth rates as well as to anemia (Schamin,2005).

The introduction of semi-solid feeding and the gradual replacement of milk by solid food as the main source of nutrition is the process known as weaning. In its recent publications the WHO uses the term weaning in a more limited sense to indicate complete cessation of breastfeeding (WHO, 2002).

The term “wean” comes from an ancient phrase that means “To accustom”. So weaning refers to the entire process during which the infant changes from full dependence on breast milk to complete independence from it (Abrupt or final wean) (Health Canada, 2012). Weaning may also mean the complete cessation of breast feeding.

The term “weaning” has been traditionally described as withdrawal from breast feeding. For example when breast feeding is gradually being replaced by fresh or modified animal milk, or by semi-solid foods. The feeding behavior changes from sucking to chewing and biting and the obligatory introduction with the mother or other caretaker changes to independent feeling (Parkinson, 2003).

Generally, infants were breastfed longer in ancient time than in present today (Piovanetti, 2001). Aristolle stated that breastfeeding should continue for 12 to 18 months. World health organization (WHO), UNICEF and American Academy’ of pediatrics (AAP) recommend that infants should be breast fed for the first six months of life, with weaning to solid. (AAP, 2012; Kramer, 2004; UNICEF, 2005).

1.2 Statement of Problem

Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is a method of breast feeding which has been recommended by WHO-UNICEF. These two bodies have tested it and found it successful for solving many problems in an infant. Unfortunately, mothers’ poor knowledge on the importance of EBF and towards suboptimal breastfeeding practices is the reason of poor health of the babies. In addition, many children are admitted in hospitals due to gastrointestinal infections, pneumonia and other allergies and infections. One of the contributing factors in child mortality is suboptimal breastfeeding at times due to the discarding of colostrum.

In Cameroon especially in the community of Molyko of Buea, poor EBF rates might have resulted from knowledge deficit on the importance of breastfeeding during antenatal nutrition, education sessions and infant that are subjected to poor breastfeeding practice may easily become malnourished thus contributing to the increasing rate of infant mortality. Diarrhea is one of the problems associated with the use of feeding bottles while growth retardation in babies has been found to coincide with the introduction of milk substitutes.

Moreover, mothers are unaware of the benefits of EBF and the risks associated with bottle feed. So, there is need to assess the knowledge of mothers of the Molyko community towards the practice of exclusive breast feeding so that health problems among new born babies can be avoided.

1.4 Research Questions

1. What level of knowledge do mothers in Molyko have on the importance of exclusive breastfeeding?
2. Do mothers in the Molyko community practice exclusive breastfeeding?
3. What are the challenges that hinder the practice of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers in the Molyko community?

Read more: Nursing Project Topics with Materials