Knowledge and attitude to exclusive breastfeeding in Ikosi District of Ikosi-Isheri Local Government Area, Lagos State
Date
2011
Authors
Olatona, F.A.
Odeyemi, K.A.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Nigeria Quarterly Journal of Hospital Medicine
Abstract
Background: Infant malnutrition is a public health problem in developing countries.
Objective: To determine the knowledge and attitude of women to exclusive breastfeeding in Ikosi district of Ikosi/Isheri Local Government Area.
Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study that employed a multistage sampling technique to select four hundred female participants. Data was collected using structured interviewer-administered questionnaires. A woman was included if she was within the reproductive age group and her last confinement was not more than five years
Results: Awareness was high (98.3%) but only about one third (39%) had good knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding. Almost all respondents (98.8%) felt that breastfeeding was important. The majority (73.3%) believed that breast milk alone is sufficient for the baby in the first six months of life while more than half (61%) believed in the appropriateness of
breastfeeding in public.
Conclusion: Given that a relatively high proportion of women had positive attitudes despite the poor knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding, public enlightenment and continued health education especially in the antenatal
clinics are pertinent to maternal and childcare to attain the recommendation of 90% practice in developing countries.
Description
Staff publications
Keywords
knowledge , Attitude , Exclusive breastfeeding , Research Subject Categories::MEDICINE
Citation
Olatona FA, Odeyemi KA. Knowledge and attitude of women to exclusive breastfeeding in Ikosi district of Ikosi-Isheri local government area, Lagos state. Nigerian quarterly journal of hospital medicine. 2011;21(1):70-4.