Breastfeeding Practices among Nursing Mothers in Tertiary Institutions in Abia State

Abstract

It has been observed that despite the numerous benefits derivable from breastfeeding, most working nursing mother including those working in institutions of higher learning in Abia state, deprive their children of adequate breastfeeding, thus denying them their right to survival. This study, therefore, evaluated the relationship between work and breastfeeding practices of children among nursing mothers in institutions of higher learning in Abia State. This was a cross- sectional survey assessing breastfeeding practices among nursing mothers working in institutions of higher learning in Abia State. The study was conducted among nursing mothers aged 18 to 50 years who worked in both private and government-owned institutions of higher learning in Abia State. The minimum sample size of 339 nursing mothers working in institutions of higher learning in Abia state was determined using the Leslie-Kish method. The research instrument used in this study is the questionnaire. A survey containing a series of questions was administered to the enrolled participants. The questionnaire was divided into two sections: the first section enquired about respondents' demographic and personal data. In contrast, the second section aligned with the study objectives and addressed the research questions. The quantitative data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 13. Percentages were used to describe the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of the women, as well as their breastfeeding beliefs and practices. The findings were presented as both discussions and tables. The study further revealed that 74.8% of the sampled nursing mothers in the selected institutions of higher learning in Abia state who attempted exclusive breastfeeding practised it for less than 1 month, while only 11.6% practised between 2-6 months, a minority. The study underscores the urgent need to explore initiatives to better support breastfeeding and nutrition practices among nursing mothers in these selected institutions of higher learning in Abia State. To that effect, the advocacy program targeted the education of working nursing mothers at these selected institutions of higher learning in Abia state on the benefits and importance of exclusive breastfeeding. It corrected misconceptions about it through an awareness campaign within and beyond these institutions.