Knowledge and Attitude of Exclusive Breastfeeding among Hairdresser Apprentices in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

Aims: This study explored the knowledge and attitude concerning Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF) among young women who are apprenticed to learn hairdressing in Agbowo community, Ibadan, Nigeria. Study Design: The study was cross sectional in design. Place and Duration of Study: Study was carried out in Agbowo community in Ibadan-north local government area of Ibadan, south-western Nigeria between January 2012 and June 2012.Methodology: Through the hairdresser's association in the study area, 164 apprentices were enumerated but only 116 met the criteria and consented to participate. Semi-structured intervieweradministered questionnaires were used to collect data on socio-demography, knowledge of EBF and attitudes towards breast feeding. Knowledge questions and attitude statements were scored and grouped as adequate or inadequate knowledge; positive or negative attitude. Association between knowledge and socio-demographic variables were explored by chi-square analysis. Results: Most apprentices were between 21-25yrs (49%), attained the senior secondary (SSS) level of education (55.2%) and majority were single (91.4%).While many (63.8%) of the respondents had inadequate knowledge of EBF, nearly all of them (96.4%) had positive attitude to breast feeding. Only 36.23% knew that infants should receive breast milk only, 68.1% would give Original Research Articlewater and 53.4%would give herbal teas in the first six months of life. Some misconceptions (e.g. colostrum is dirty) and negative attitudes (e.g. breast feeding inconvenient, embarrassing, sags breasts) existed. A significant association exist between age group of respondents (p=.001); level of education (p=.001) and knowledge of exclusive breast feeding. Conclusion:Relevant interventions about EBF should focus on young people especially those with low levels of education, who have gaps in EBF knowledge so that misconceptions and negative attitudes can be resolved.

The Association between Ethnicity and Level of Education with Exclusive Breastfeeding Practice in the Context of the Place of Residence in Nigeria

“…In this context, Yoruba women were more involved in EBF in both rural and urban areas. This nding agree with earlier study as the Yorubas are known for strict adherence to cultural values towards herbal medication and believe that feeding infant with water, infant formula/cereal gruels and herbal teas within the rst six months of life is necessary stride for child survival [24]. This nding was in disagreement with the another earlier ndings [23] which argued that the reasons adduced for delay initiation of breastfeeding among the Yoruba of South West Nigeria was colostrums being the rst mother's milk is not pure and therefore could harm the infant.…”

“…In addition, while awaiting the establishment of the clean milk, mothers gave prelacteals in form of boiled water, honey and animal milks. Among the Yoruba in Ibadan, it was reported that mothers believed that feeding infant with water, infant formula/cereal gruels and herbal teas within the rst six months of life is necessary stride for child survival [24]. Among the Ibos in South East Nigeria, literature revealed that the reason for low uptake of EBF was because some mothers believed that breast milk is good enough for the baby during the EBF period, while others believe colostrums is harmful to baby, dirty, infected milk and should not be given to the baby [25].…”

Effects of Municipal Waste Disposal Methods on Community Health in Ibadan - Nigeria

“…Agbowo and Bodija communities are densely populated with students of the University of Ibadan and The Polytechnic, Ibadan. Agbowo has many features of an urban slum: overcrowding, unplanned housing, and lack of basic social amenities such as piped water (Akinremi and Samuel 2014).…”

Knowledge and Attitude towards Exclusive Breast Feeding among Mothers Attending Antenatal and Immunization Clinic at Dabat Health Center, Northwest Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Institution Based Study

“…Exclusive breast feeding protected against serious morbidities in the first six months of life [6]. Research conducted at Ibadan, Nigeria, revealed that prevalence of mothers' knowledge towards EBF is still low, which accounts for about 36.2% and the same thing is true in Ethiopia, where it accounts for about 34.7% [7, 8]. Even though many researches are done about mother's knowledge and attitude towards exclusive breast feeding in many areas of Ethiopia, no research is done about it in and around Dabat Health Center.…”