Factors Associated with Breastfeeding Exclusivity in Akure, Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract Malnutrition and mortality persistently affect the health and survival of Nigerian children, despite government efforts through policies and program interventions. In response to this, this study examined how the socio-economic characteristics of mothers impact the attainment of breastfeeding exclusivity. The goal is to trace the problem of non-adoption of interventions back to its roots. "The study employed the triangulation of quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection from a sample of 406 women found at the immunization and antenatal clinics of two key hospitals in Akure. These women had their last birth in the three years before the survey. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis, while descriptive and inferential statistics were obtained for the quantitative data, using simple percentages, chi-square statistic to test relationships, and logistic regression to evaluate the influence of socio-economic and maternal factors on attainment of exclusivity. A total of 396 eligible women were included in the final sample. Nearly all women (99.5%) ever breastfed their infants and 60% have high knowledge of breastfeeding though less than half (42%) of women achieved early initiation. More than half of women (53%) achieved exclusive breastfeeding as against the generally low rate found in Nigeria as a whole. The study found an association between place of delivery and attainment of early breastfeeding initiation and exclusivity. Maternal and socio-economic factors like mother’s age, income, and breastfeeding knowledge influence attainment of exclusivity at 95% confidence level. Akure and Nigeria at large have not yet hit their target at promoting the health and survival of infants and young children as the findings still fall below the 90% WHO/UNICEF recommendation in children less than 6 months in developing countries