Factors influencing the practice of exclusive breastfeeding among nursing mothers in a peri-urban district of Ghana

Abstract

BackgroundExclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is one of the optimal infant and young child feeding practices. Globally, <40% of infants under 6 months of age are exclusively breastfed. In Ghana, 63% of children <6 months are exclusively breastfed which is far less than the 100% recommended by the United Nation Children Emergency Fund. This study was carried out to find out the factors that influence the practice of exclusive breastfeeding in the district.MethodsA cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted using structured questionnaires. A convenience sampling technique was employed to select 380 nursing mothers who attended postnatal care at the postnatal clinic in all the 13 health facilities with child welfare clinics (both public and private) and were available on the day of data collection. Data were analysed using frequency and CHISQ tables.ResultsThere was a significant association between socio-demographic characteristics of mothers such as age (p = 0.129), religion (p = 0.035) type of employment (p = 0.005) and the practice of exclusive breastfeeding. Again, there was significant relationship between mothers’ knowledge on EBF in terms of sources of information about EBF (p = 0.000), steps taken by mothers who perceived not to have breast milk (p = 0.000), some medical conditions of nursing mothers (p = 0.000) and the practice of EBF.ConclusionMost nursing mothers use infant formula feeds as either supplement or substitute for breast milk based on their perception that breast milk may not be sufficient for the babies despite the high cost of these artificial milk. This puts the babies at a higher risk of compromised health and malnutrition which has the potential of increasing infant mortality. Most mothers are not practicing exclusive breastfeeding because their spouses and family members do not allow them.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13104-017-2774-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Estimating the rate and determinants of exclusive breastfeeding practices among rural mothers in Southern Ghana

“…The findings showed that, mothers who were selfemployed artisans were more likely to practice exclusive breastfeeding. This finding was in line with earlier studies that found self-employed mothers to be more likely to practice 6 months exclusive breastfeeding [43]. This study found that mothers whose households were headed by males were more likely to practice exclusive breastfeeding but this relationship was not statistically significant after adjusting for other explanatory variables.…”

“…This study found that mothers whose households were headed by males were more likely to practice exclusive breastfeeding but this relationship was not statistically significant after adjusting for other explanatory variables. This result was similar to the findings of other studies in Ghana [43] and Malawi [44] where the decision of 6 months and 24 to 26 h exclusive breastfeeding was influenced by spouses and family members respectively.…”

Estimating the rate and determinants of exclusive breastfeeding practices among rural mothers in Southern Ghana

“…The findings show that, mothers who are self-employed artisans are more likely to practice exclusive breastfeeding. This finding is in line with earlier studies that found self-employed mothers to be more likely to practice exclusive breastfeeding [43]. This study found that mothers whose households were headed by males were more likely to practice exclusive breastfeeding but this relationship is not statistically significant after adjusting for other explanatory variables.…”

“…This study found that mothers whose households were headed by males were more likely to practice exclusive breastfeeding but this relationship is not statistically significant after adjusting for other explanatory variables. This result is similar to the findings of other studies in Ghana [43] and Malawi [44] where the decision of exclusive breastfeeding is influenced by spouses and family members.…”

Comprehensive evaluation of the risk of lactational mastitis in Chinese women: combined logistic regression analysis with receiver operating characteristic curve

“…As to the maternal physical condition and psychological mood, the factors of anemia and throat infection were illustrated without significant variation. Similarly, uses of unauthorized oral antibiotics and negative emotion were not associated with mastitis that was opposite to the views reported in other literatures [16,17]. Contact with infant after birth within 1 h accounted for a greater proportion in control group and protect women from mastitis (OR = 0.565, 95%CI = 0.340-0.938).…”