Breastfeeding practices and determinants of exclusive breastfeeding in a cross-sectional study at a child welfare clinic in Tema Manhean, Ghana

Abstract

BackgroundExclusive breastfeeding is important for child health and growth, but its practice is low in many developing countries. This study aimed at determining the breastfeeding practices and examining the sociodemographic characteristics that influence exclusive breastfeeding among mothers attending child welfare clinic at Manhean, in the Tema East Sub-Meteropolitan area of Greater Accra region of Ghana.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study that employed a structured questionnaire to collect data among 355 mothers of children aged 0–24 months selected through simple random sampling, attending a child welfare clinic from May to June, 2016. Breastfeeding practices were assessed based on the practices in the last 24 h prior to the study as defined by the World Health Organization.ResultsThere was a universal awareness and high knowledge about exclusive breastfeeding among mothers, but prevalence among infants less than 6 months was 66.0% (n = 138/209). Mothers currently breastfeeding were 263 (74.0%); 225 (63.4%) initiated breastfeeding within the first hour after delivery and 289 (81.0%) of the mothers offered colostrum to babies after delivery. Continued breastfeeding rate at 1 year was 77.3% (n = 17/22). Only 33.7% (n = 31/92) of infants aged 6–8 months had started receiving complementary foods. For infants aged less than 24 months, 30.1% (n = 98/326) were bottle feeding. Mothers aged 20–24 (Adjusted odd ratio [AOR] 9.80; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.11, 45.46), 25–29 (AOR 9.49; 95% CI 2.07, 43.47) and 30–34 (AOR 6.02; 95% CI 1.41, 25.65) were more likely to practice exclusive breastfeeding. Mothers who had tertiary education were less likely to practice EBF than those with no education (AOR 0.18; 95% CI 0.36, 0.85). Mothers from ethnic groups in northern Ghana were less likely to exclusively breastfeed their infants compared to those of Ghanaian (Ga) ethnicity (AOR 0.29; 95% CI 0.09, 0.96).ConclusionsExclusive breastfeeding and timely complementary feeding practices are suboptimal. Educational status, age and ethnicity of mothers strongly predicted maternal practice of exclusive breastfeeding. Interventions emphasizing a practical education should therefore be targeted at addressing factors that influence exclusive breastfeeding.

Knowledge, attitudes and food practices in caregivers and nutritional status in infants from Ventaquemada, Boyacá, Colombia

“…In the Indian study, only 36.25% of mothers gave exclusive breastfeeding until six months [13], compared to 41% of mothers in Guatemala, these results being lower than the present study which found 51.5%; Higher data were found in advanced studies in Cali, Colombia 66.7% [19], Ghana 66% [20], Girón, Colombia 72% [17]. However, these studies do not reach the goal proposed by the WHO of 85% [11], which makes manifest the need to increase interdisciplinary efforts to reduce the deficiency.…”

Frequency of Breast feeding among working women of Multan.

“…9 Moreover an improved rates of exclusive breast feeding were also observed when expecting women were provided with awareness regarding the benefit of breast feeding in the form of antenatal breast feeding counseling which is not commonly practiced in our region. 11 Our results were validated by previous researches which stated that socio demographic factors such as nature of job, 10 younger age, 12 ethnicity, 12 family system, 13 working hours, 14 inter pregnancy interval, 15 number of children, 15 and family income 16 were significantly associated with exclusive breast feeding among working women.…”

“…17 as it was observed that experience in better child feeding practices come with increasing age. 12 Another significant factor found in our result was ethnicity. The influence of ethnicity on exclusive breast feeding could be explained by effect of different cultural beliefs and practices held by various ethnic groups on child health and breastfeeding rates.…”

“…The influence of ethnicity on exclusive breast feeding could be explained by effect of different cultural beliefs and practices held by various ethnic groups on child health and breastfeeding rates. 12,18 Additionally a significant association was observed between family type and exclusive breast feeding practice. It was observed that working women living in joint family were more likely to exclusive breast fed their children as they receive timely information about benefits of breast feeding as well as support in domestic chores from their family.…”

Common Breastfeeding Problems and Their Effect on The Continuation of Exclusive or Predominant Breastfeeding in Kinshasa

“…Breastfeeding mothers need to be informed about strategies to prevent problems; at the same time, they need support in order to overcome problems they may face. Health care providers have been identi ed by mothers as the primary source of information on breastfeeding (12,13). Thus, the former could support mothers in preventing breastfeeding problems or managing them if they occurred.…”