Abstract:
Exclusive breast-feeding is recommended for infant
nutrition during the first 6 months after birth. Worst still, this
behaviour practices have not yet improved in Africa despite this
recommendation. This study therefore, examines breast-feeding behaviour
and practices among nursing mothers in two African countries: Nigeria and
Ghana. A sample of 300 nursing mothers attending ante-natal clinic was
randomly drawn from 4 hospitals, two in Nigeria and two in Ghana. The
demographic characteristics of the respondents show that their age range
between 19 - 51 years with a mean of 35 years and standard deviation of
22.6 years. A modified self-report questionnaire assessing breast-feeding
attitudes, intentions and support was used for the collection of data. The
reliability co-efficient yielded r = 0.82 after modification. Four
research questions were raised to guide the study. The results indicate
that nursing mothers do not breast-feed based on personal frustration and
painful experience, fear of loosing weight, nature of job, lack of
confidence in breast-feeding, long period of recommended exclusive
breast-feeding and the fact that infant may become addicted to the
behaviour. The result also reveal that nursing mothers may continue
exclusive breast-feeding when decided to do so through the provision of
social support, modeling, public enlightenment and appointment of care
nursing mother. While at the same time, it was shown that there is
significant difference in breast-feeding behaviour of mothers based on
their occupations and of course no difference exists in the breast-feeding
behaviour of Nigeria and Ghana nursing mothers. Recommendations based on
the findings of the study were highlighted.
Tella Adeyinka, Falaye Jibola, Aremu Oyesoji and Tella, Adedeji, 2008. A Hospital-Based Assessment of Breast-Feeding Behaviour and Practices among Nursing Mothers in Nigeria and Ghana. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 7: 165-171.
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