Knowledge and practice of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers in the tamale metropolis of Ghana
Abstract Background The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for the first six months of life has remained low worldwide and in Ghana, despite strong evidence in support of its practice. This study was aimed at assessing the knowledge and practice of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers in t...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2018-08-01
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| Series: | Reproductive Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12978-018-0579-3 |
| _version_ | 1819111085040467968 |
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| author | Ruth Nimota Nukpezah Samuel Victor Nuvor Jerry Ninnoni |
| author_facet | Ruth Nimota Nukpezah Samuel Victor Nuvor Jerry Ninnoni |
| author_sort | Ruth Nimota Nukpezah |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for the first six months of life has remained low worldwide and in Ghana, despite strong evidence in support of its practice. This study was aimed at assessing the knowledge and practice of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers in the Tamale metropolis of Ghana. Methods In a descriptive cross-sectional study, 393 mother-infant pairs attending child welfare clinics from three health facilities in the Tamale Metropolis were surveyed. A structured item questionnaire was used to collect data on the socio-demographic Characteristics of the participants, their knowledge regarding breastfeeding and level of practice of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF). The results were presented in frequency counts, percentages and inferences were made using a contingency table and chi-square values were computed to check for the relationship between participants demographic characteristics, the Knowledge and the practice of EBF and P value was set at 0.05. Results The Analysis of the data was done with SPSS version 20. The study surveyed a total of 393 mothers from Tamale metropolis, of whom 27.7% reported having exclusively breastfed their infant for the first 6 months of life. The socio-demographic of the participants showed that they all had some level of education. The study revealed that 39.4% initiated breastfeeding within one hour after birth. Majority of participants had heard of EBF 277 (70.5%), about 344 (87.5%) of participants believed that EBF should be practised for 5 months in their locality. Pearson Chi-square test of the association between sociodemographic characteristics associated and EBF showed a significant association between EBF and the sex of the child, X2 = 4.177, P = .041. Whiles, EBF and the Knowledge on child spacing was X2 = 17.769, P < .001 and EBF and knowledge on Breast cancer reduction was also significant X2 = 4.384, P = .036. Conclusions Although all the participants had some level of education background, a majority did not have adequate knowledge on EBF and EBF practice was low in the study community. Thus, we suggest improved education at the child welfare clinics and the media should be used as a platform to educate women adequately about importance of EBF. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-22T03:52:00Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4e36f7fe01f242d79163ffb099c00801 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1742-4755 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-22T03:52:00Z |
| publishDate | 2018-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Reproductive Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-4e36f7fe01f242d79163ffb099c008012022-12-21T18:39:59ZengBMCReproductive Health1742-47552018-08-011511910.1186/s12978-018-0579-3Knowledge and practice of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers in the tamale metropolis of GhanaRuth Nimota Nukpezah0Samuel Victor Nuvor1Jerry Ninnoni2Department of Nursing, University for development studiesSchool of Medical Sciences, University of Cape CoastSchool of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Cape CoastAbstract Background The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for the first six months of life has remained low worldwide and in Ghana, despite strong evidence in support of its practice. This study was aimed at assessing the knowledge and practice of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers in the Tamale metropolis of Ghana. Methods In a descriptive cross-sectional study, 393 mother-infant pairs attending child welfare clinics from three health facilities in the Tamale Metropolis were surveyed. A structured item questionnaire was used to collect data on the socio-demographic Characteristics of the participants, their knowledge regarding breastfeeding and level of practice of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF). The results were presented in frequency counts, percentages and inferences were made using a contingency table and chi-square values were computed to check for the relationship between participants demographic characteristics, the Knowledge and the practice of EBF and P value was set at 0.05. Results The Analysis of the data was done with SPSS version 20. The study surveyed a total of 393 mothers from Tamale metropolis, of whom 27.7% reported having exclusively breastfed their infant for the first 6 months of life. The socio-demographic of the participants showed that they all had some level of education. The study revealed that 39.4% initiated breastfeeding within one hour after birth. Majority of participants had heard of EBF 277 (70.5%), about 344 (87.5%) of participants believed that EBF should be practised for 5 months in their locality. Pearson Chi-square test of the association between sociodemographic characteristics associated and EBF showed a significant association between EBF and the sex of the child, X2 = 4.177, P = .041. Whiles, EBF and the Knowledge on child spacing was X2 = 17.769, P < .001 and EBF and knowledge on Breast cancer reduction was also significant X2 = 4.384, P = .036. Conclusions Although all the participants had some level of education background, a majority did not have adequate knowledge on EBF and EBF practice was low in the study community. Thus, we suggest improved education at the child welfare clinics and the media should be used as a platform to educate women adequately about importance of EBF.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12978-018-0579-3Exclusive breastfeedingKnowledgePracticeTamaleGhana |
| spellingShingle | Ruth Nimota Nukpezah Samuel Victor Nuvor Jerry Ninnoni Knowledge and practice of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers in the tamale metropolis of Ghana Reproductive Health Exclusive breastfeeding Knowledge Practice Tamale Ghana |
| title | Knowledge and practice of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers in the tamale metropolis of Ghana |
| title_full | Knowledge and practice of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers in the tamale metropolis of Ghana |
| title_fullStr | Knowledge and practice of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers in the tamale metropolis of Ghana |
| title_full_unstemmed | Knowledge and practice of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers in the tamale metropolis of Ghana |
| title_short | Knowledge and practice of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers in the tamale metropolis of Ghana |
| title_sort | knowledge and practice of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers in the tamale metropolis of ghana |
| topic | Exclusive breastfeeding Knowledge Practice Tamale Ghana |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12978-018-0579-3 |
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