EC Nutrition

Background and Objective: Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life has been accepted as the most vital intervention for adequate nutrition for optimal growth and development of infants; thus reducing infant mortality and under 5 mortality rates. To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) among students who are nursing mothers.

Materials and Methods: Sixty student-mothers were recruited for the study, the inclusion criteria are the subjects that consented to be recruited to the study, while the exclusion criteria are those that objected to be recruited into the study, The respondents were interviewed about their knowledge, attitude, practice (KAP) of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), using (KAP) questionnaire. The factors and relationship associated with motivations and constraints for exclusive breastfeeding were assessed, tabulated and analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics.

Results and Discussion: Of the sixty respondents, 62% are single and 38% are married. 80% and 60% had good knowledge and attitude towards exclusive breastfeeding. The factors that really influenced their attitude and practice of exclusive breastfeeding are inability to breastfeeding in public, age, single-mother, leaving babies in the hand of parents or guardian whenever they come to school.

Conclusion and Recommendation(s): There was drastic fall in the number of nursing mothers who practiced exclusive breastfeeding. Health care workers and tertiary institution should actively work with families and female students to identify constraints and challenges; and sensitize and emphasize on the attitude, practice and compliance of exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of life of infants. Awareness campaign should be organized for nursing mothers about the importance of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) and how to overcome the barriers.

 Keywords: Knowledge; Practice; Nursing Mothers; EBF

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