Utiization of Excusive Breastfeeding
UTILIZATION OF EXCLUSIVE BREAST FEEDING
AMONG NURSING MOTHERS IN ILORIN-SOUTH LOCAL
GOVERNMENT AREA OF KWARA STATE
S. O. Oniyangi; O. O. Oycrinde and Olawore P. O.
Abstract
This study was carried out to investigate the utilization of exclusive breastfeeding
among nursing mothers in Ilorin -South Local Government Ara ofKwara State. Related
literature were reviewed on the useful ideas and the benefits of breastfeeding to nursing
mothers. The population used for the study consists of only nursing mothers who are attending
the infants welfare clinics which include civil servants, traders and artisans. The instrument
used for the study was questionnaire. Two hundred subjects were randomly selected among the
population of nursing mothers within the local government area used for the study. The data
were collected using a well self liken structure instrument which was well validated by
experts in the area of study and tested for the reliability of study using split half. A spearman rank
order was used to analyse the result. A correlation coefficient of (0. 74r) was obtained which
indicated that the instrument is reliable for the study. The instrument was administered by the
researcher and research assistance. An inferential statistics of chi-square was used to analyse
the result.
The study revealed that most of the respondents are not aware of the benefits of
exclusive breastfeeding, the nature of their job does not permit them to give exclusive
breastfeeding. It is therefore recommended that appropriate awareness through campaign
jingles should be carried out, waiver should be given to nursing mother to attend to their babies
at home to give them exclusive breastfeeding during work by their employers.
Introduction
Many generations ago, babies were almost universally breast fed; about forty years ago, the
number of women who choose to breastfeed began to decline. The lowest proportion of women who
breastfed their babies occurred in the early 1970's when fewer than 40% choose to breastfeed and by
six weeks after childbirth fewer than 20% were breastfed especially among middle class women
(Jellife, 1985). In the few decades past, great changes have occurred in method of infant feedings,
especially from universal use of human milk and breastfeeding to bottle feeding with formulae based
on cow milk. Wickles (1993) stated that there are two types of feeding.
1.
Natural feeding, which is breast milk
2.
Artificial feeding, which is cow milk, called formulae.
Breastfeeding is an accepted method in Nigeria. It is ideal and is practical among all mothers
to ensure that babies are adequately fed, four hourly or less often. For years, human milk was the
only food for the young baby and breast feeding is the greatest gift a mother can give to her new
infant. Recent studies such as Vanghuist (2000) have also identified various .advantages of human
breast milk to infants, mothers, families and the society at large. These advantages cut across health,
nutritional and developmental benefits. Human milk is uniquely good and superior to infant feeding
formula and is naturally and specifically made to suit human beings which differentiate it from all
other substitute feeding options, such as cow milk or other artificial formulas. The breastfed infants
derives advantages with regards to general health, growth and development and there is tremendous
decrease in the risk of acute and chronic illnesses. Most infants in latin America, Asia and Africa do
not receive enough breast milk as this is being substituted with herbal tea, water, glucose drink and
other liquids within the first sex months of life. In many of these countries where breast milk feeding
Utiization of Excusive Breastfeeding
has been on the decline, low protein calories, malnutrition, diarrhea and other nutritional deficiency
diseases usually abound leading to a higher infant mortality rate (vanghuist 2000).
Esan (1999) reported that the agency for international development aid 2005 reported that
about 14-15 mil lion of the third world children die of disease and malnutrition on before reaching the
age of five. This can be as a result of mam factors such as intensive feeding habits and the decline in
breastfeeding practices. A study earned out by Esan (1999) reveals that exclusive breastfeeding
promotion is just an unproven scientific data. People of these beliefs cut across social, ethnic and even
educational strata. In view of these beliefs, there was an initiation of baby friendly hospital to
institutionalize promotion of exclusive breastfeeding. This include training of mothers on how to
achieve exclusive breastfeeding. The baby friendly hospital initiative was launched by UNICEF with
support from WHO in 1990. It agreed to the letter B in the GOBI formula, while "G" (growth
mentoring) the "O" (oral-dehydration)and "I" (immunization) have been very successful, the "B"
(breastfeeding) is much more difficult to implement as it involves a large number of determinants. These
includes psychological and emotional factors within the woman herself her position, status,
economic factors and the public.
Statement of the Problem
The global initiative to promote exclusive breastfeeding is still a concern in Nigeria. This is as
a result of an expensive venture; the type of care the child received is no adequate. The practice
becomes totally entrenched even amongst those who could barely afford it. Many believe that
exclusive breastfeeding causes an undue strain on the mother,
Purpose of the Study
The focus of this research work/paper therefore is to assist educational activities by tying
to identify the rate of utilisation of exclusive breastfeeding by nursing mothers in llorin South Local
Government Area of Kwara State.
Research Questions
1.
Does the age of the mother influence their knowledge and utilization of
exclusive breastfeeding?
2.
Does mothers occupation affect the breastfeeding habit of nursing mothers?
3.
Does educational background influence exclusive breastfeeding of their
babies?
4.
Does marital status influence the utilization of exclusive breastfeeding?
5.
Does settlement pattern of mothers influence utilization of exclusive
breastfeeding?
6.
Does religion affiliation influence the exclusive utilization of breastfeeding?
Research Hypotheses
Ho 1: There is no significant difference in the age of mothers and their utilization
Ho2:
Ho3:
Ho4:
Ho5:
of exclusive breastfeeding.
There is no significant different in occupation of mothers and utilization of
exclusive breastfeeding.
There is no significant difference in mothers educational background and
utilization of exclusive breastfeeding.
There is no significant difference in marital status and utilization of exclusive
breastfeeding.
There is no significant difference in mothers settlement pattern and utilization
of exclusive breastfeeding. Ho6: There is no significant difference in religion affiliation of
mothes and the utilization of exclusive breastfeeding.
Utiization of Excusive Breastfeeding
Methodology and Procedure
The descriptive research method was used to carry out this research. The method was used
on the representatives of the target population to describe the situation. The sample selected for the
study were from various vocation such as civil service, trading and artisans.
The study was conducted by selecting the first twenty mothers to arrive at the ten clinic
centres on an infant welfare day so as to reduce the number of the respondents to a manageable
size of 200 mothers used. The main instrument use is a structured questionnaire that consists of
closed and open ended questions developed in a way to elicit the relevant information required to lest
the hypotheses set for the study. The reliability coefficient of 0.85r was obtained.
Results and Discussion
A total of two hundred questionnaire were distributed, collected and
analysed. The table of analysis showed the result of the finding and interpretation
;
follows:
Table 1: Shows the distributions of personal data
Age (in years)
Freguency
Percentage
18-27years
37
18.5%
28-33years
85
42.5%
34-43years
45
22.5%
44 years and above
33
16.5%
Total
200
100%
Marital Status
Freguency
Percentage
Signe mother
40
20.5%
Married mother
140
70.5%
Divorced mother
20
10.5%
Total
200
100.5%
Educational Status
Freguency
Percentage
Primay school
63
31.5%
Secondary school
77
38.5%
Tertiary
28
14.5%
Arabic school
17
08.5%
None
15
07.5%
Total
200
100%
Utiization of Excusive Breastfeeding
Occupation
Freguency
Percentage
Teaching
30
15.0%
Trading
130
65.0%
Civil servant
20
10.0%
Artisan
20
10.0%
Total
200
100%
Religion
Islam
Christianity
Traditional religion
Total
Frequency
120
52
28
Percentage
60.0%
26.0%
14.0%
200 100%
Table 1 shows that the personal characteristics of the respondents. The age of ranges from
18-27years 37 (18.5%) 28-33years, 85(42.5%), 34-43years 45(22.5%) 44years and above
33(16.5%). However the marital status of the respondents shows that 40(20%)) were single
mothers 140(70%) were married mother, while 20(10%) are divorced mothers. On educational
background of the respondents 63(31.5%) had primary school certificate 77 (38.5) had secondary
school certificate, 28(14%) had higher, certificate, 17(8.5%) had Arabic school while 15(7.5%)
had no any certificate. The nursing mothers were equally represented by nursing mothers from
different occupations such as teachers 30( 15%). traders 130(65%), civil servant 20( 10%) and
artisan 20(40%) while 120(60%) are Muslims, 52(26%) are Christians and 20(10%) traditional
religion. 1 lo I: There is no significant difference in the age of mothers and their utilization of exclusive
breast feeding.
Table 2: Shows the x2 result on the age of the mothers and their utilization of exclusive
breastfeeding
Item
1.
Baby mother or under aged mothers breastfeed their
chidren for a shorter length of time.
142
58
200
2.
Married educated mother gives excusive breastfeeding
104
96
200
3.
Mothers that are well
88
112
200
87
113
200
421
379
800
4.
educated on breastfeeding
through antenatal care gives excusive
breastfeeding.
mothers gives breastfeeding to their
children equally
D
All
Total
P<0.05
A
Total
S/N
Df
Ca. X2
Crit.
Vaue
Dec
Ho
rejected
3
38.21
7.82
Utiization of Excusive Breastfeeding
Ho, was rejected because the calculated x 2 of 38.21 is greater than the critical value of 7.82
which connotes that the age of the mothers have significant influence on their utilization of exclusive
breastfeeding in the area under study.
Ho2. mothers occupation will not significantly influence the exclusive breastfeeding of
their children.
Table 3: Shows the x 2 result on mothers occupation and exclusive breastfeeding.
Item
5.
Civi servant mothers breastfeed their babies onger than
other women in other occupation.
90
110
200
Full
156
44
200
6.
time house wives gives excusive
breastfeeding since they are not engage with
any serious vocation
A
D
Total
S/N
7.
Working cass mother uses artifica methods of
breastfeeding their babies as a resut of their work
154
46
200
8.
Traders usually have enough time to give excusive
104
96
200
504
296
800
breastfeeding
Df
Ca. X2
Crit.
Vaue
Ho
rejected
3
74.29
7.82
Total
P<0.05
Table 3 showing the calculated chi-square value of 74.29 which was greater than the table
value x of 7.82 at a degree of 3 at 0.05 alpha level of significance. The significance differences
existed, therefore the hypothesis was rejected. This implies that occupation of the respondents have
significance influence on mothers utilization of exclusive breastfeeding.
Ho3: Mothers educational background will not significantly influence exclusive breastfeeding.
2
Dec
Utiization of Excusive Breastfeeding
Table 4: Shows the X2 result on mothers educational background and excusive breastfeeding
S/N
Item
9.
Illiterate mothers breastfeed their babies than
10.
11.
A
D
Total
educated women
114
86
200
Babies of educated mothers are always stronger and
140
60
200
182
18
200
144
56
200
504
296
800
healthy than babies of illlliterate mothers
Education is required in pratice of excusive
breastfeeding
Happiy maiired mothers whole heartedly utilizes
Df
Ca. X2
Crit.
Vaue
Ho
rejected
3
59.12
7.82
excusive breastfeeding
12.
Educated mothers have faith in practice of
excusive breastfeeding that their illlliterate
counterparts
Total
Dec
P<0.05
Table 4 shows the calculated chi-square value of 59.12 which was greater than the table x : value of
7.82 at a degree of freedom of 0.05 alpha level of significance. The significance differences
existed, therefore the hypothesis was rejected. This means that mothers educational background have
significant influence on mothers utilization of exclusive breastfeeding.
Ho4: Marital status of the mothers will not significantly influence the exclusive breastfeeding of
infants.
Utiization of Excusive Breastfeeding
Table 5: Shows x2 result of marital status of mothers and it influence on exclusive
breastfeeding of infants
S/N
Item
13.
Single mothers does not devote time to excusive
A
D
Total
breastfeeding
102
98
200
14.
Divorced mothers are usually committed to excusive
98
102
200
15.
breastfeeding their babies as a resut of their work
Happiy maiired mothers whole heartedly utilizes
113
87
200
107
33
200
504
296
800
breastfeeding of their children
Df
Ca. X2
Crit.
Vaue
Dec
Ho
rejected
3
46.86
7.82
excusive breastfeeding
16.
Singe mothers are mostly underage
Total
Table 5 shows the calculated chi-square value of 46.86 which was greater than the table value
of 7.82 at 3 degree of freedom at 0.05 alpha level of significance. The significance difference
existed, therefore the hypothesis is rejected. This means that the marital status of mothers,
married, singles, and divorce and even single young mothers have significant influence on their exclusive
utilization of breastfeeding.
Ho : Religion affiliation of the mothers will not significantly influence the exclusive
breastfeeding of their children.
Table 6: Showing the x 2 result on religion affiliation and exclusive
breastfeeding
S/N
Item
17.
Traditioanlist are usually committed to excusive
breastfeeding than other religions affinities
18.
19.
A
D
Total
114
86
200
70
130
200
135
65
200
319
281
800
Mother’s that are very reigious don’t always have
time to give exclusive breastfeed to their babies
All religious support excusive breastfeeding
Total
Df
2
Ca. X2
44.17
Crit.
Vaue
5.99
Dec
Ho
rejected
Utiization of Excusive Breastfeeding
Table 6 shows the calculated chi-square value of 44.17 which was greater than the table value
of 5.99 at 2 degree of freedom at 0.05 alpha level of .significance. The significance difference existed,
therefore the hypothesis is rejected. This means that the religion affiliation, that is, Muslim, Christianity
or traditional religion have significant influence on their exclusive utilization of breastfeeding. Ho6:
Settlement pattern of the mothers will not significantly influence the exclusive breastfeeding of their
children.
Table 7: Showing the x 2 result on settlement pattern and exclusive breastfeeding
S/N
Item
20.
Availability of day care services in urban areas
A
D
Total
discourages the practices of excusive
breastfeeding
137
63
200
Mother from urban areas do support excusive
breatsfeeding
55
14
200
knowledge about excusive breastfeeding
126
74
200
Urban dewing mothers are more reluctant in
the practice of excusive breastfeeding due to
stress of work
Total
121
79
200
439
361
800
Df
3
Ca. X2
60.25
Crit.
Vaue
5.99
21.
22.
23.
Rural mothers are not exposed to enough
Table 7 is showing the calculate chi-square value of 60.25 which is greater than the table value
ot'7.82 at a degree of 3 at 0.05 alpha level of significance. The significance difference existed, therefore
the hypothesis is rejected. This implies that mothers settlement pattern influence the utilization of
exclusive breastfeeding.
Discussion of Findings
After careful analysis of the data collected the following findings were obtained. Underaged mothers seldom have less time to utilize exclusive breastfeeding unlike matured mothers
who appreciates the cordiality that exists between mother and infants as a result of exclusive
breastfeeding practices. This was supported by Spitz (2005) who confirmed that babies need intimate
involvement with other human beings for their immediate survival as well as for their long term
emotional health. It is generally believed that the first twelve hours after birth is probably the
critical period in which bonding lakes place in humans.
It was revealed that the occupation of the mothers determines to a large extent the number
of time the mother spends with the baby and how the baby feeds Guthie (2000) supported the
findings and said that working class mothers tend to practice mixed feeding for longer period of time.
Also survey conducted in Malaysia found that 23% of working class women who were bottle feeding
their infants would have preferred breastfeeding if they had been offered leave without pay. while
39% would have considered exclusive breastfeeding if their working hours could be re-arranged
(Guthie, 2000). Educational background of mothers was found to have much significance because the
Dec
Ho
rejected
Utiization of Excusive Breastfeeding
result shows that educated women tends to follow the antenatal instructions to the letter, thereby changing
their altitudes towards utilization of exclusive breastfeeding.
The result further inducted that some mothers do not appreciates the benefit of health workers
on the information dissemination on exclusive breastfeeding. because they don't usually attend
ante-natal clinics when they are pregnant or infants welfare clinics when they are breastfeeding
their infants. Beimel (19W) affirmed that single mothers, most of whom are underage are usually been
assisted by either their mothers or neighbours in caring for their babies and this affects
breastfeeding habit. Therefore marital status goes long way in the utilization of exclusive
breastfeeding.
The result on religion affiliation towards utilization of exclusive breastfeeding was rejected, '['his
is indicated in hypothesis 5, table o. A significance difference existed and the hypothesis is therefore
rejected. The finding of this research study was in line with Esan (1999) who conformed that
religious women don't usually have enough time to breastfeed their infant, although the religion is
not against exclusive breastfeeding. The result also revealed that mothers in urban areas do not
usually have enough time to spend with their infant, they drop their infant at day care centres or with
their mothers or neighbours (Bonnet. 1999).
Conclusion
The study showed that most of the respondents are making use of exclusive breastfeeding and
that those that are not utilizing it do so as a result of limited awareness as to the benefits of
exclusive breastfeeding to both mother and child.
Most of the women also agreed that exclusive breastfeeding is good but their nature of job
would not allow them to make a maximum utilization of it. It was generally accepted by the respondents
that breastfeeding is ideal, safe and nutritious for the child.
Recommendations
The following recommendations were made based on the findings and conclusion of this
study.
1.
All stakeholders such as health workers, parents, teachers and communitybased organization should endeavour to increase and intensify campaigns
and educative activities so as to encourage the practice of exclusive
breastfeeding among nursing mothers.
2.
Provisions should be made by employers of labour to grant waivers to nursing
mothers working under them to have time to breastfeed their infants,
government can assist by the enactment of an act of parliament to support
it.
3.
Enlightenment campaigns should be encouraged and intensified by health
workers with emphasis on the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding for both
pregnant mothers and nursing mothers that arc attending their clinics so as to raise their
awareness level as it affects infants feedings on exclusive breastfeeding.
Utiization of Excusive Breastfeeding
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diseases in Houscar (Lima) peru. Journal of paediatrics, 83, 31-40.
Esan, D.K. (1999): A textbook for midwives in the tropics, London: African University
press in Asso with Edward Arnold.
Guthie, G. C. (2000): The know-how of infant cure London: American University Press.
Jeliiffe, D. B. (1985): Nutrition in Early childhood. London: Hillbook Yannet Ltd.
Spitz, R. (2005): "Hospitism" An inquiry into the genesis of psychiatric conditions in early
childhood psychoanal study child, 1,53
Vanghuist, F. K. (2000): Obstetrics by ten teachers (13"' Ed.) London: Edward Arnold
Publishers Ltd.
World Health Organization (1990): Protecting, promoting and supporting
breastfeeding: The special role of maternity service. Geneva, Switzerland
Wicklcs, J. G. (1993): A brief history of infant feeding (18 th & 19"' editions). World
Health Organization on Monograph series, Geneva, Switzerland.
Utiization of Excusive Breastfeeding