Mothers’ and Grandmothers’ misconceptions and socio-cultural factors as barriers to exclusive breastfeeding: A qualitative study involving Health Workers in two rural districts of Ghana

Abstract

Background Education on exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) practices is usually given in the form of health talks by health workers (HWs). The need for HWs to be well-informed about cultural practices and misconceptions that act as barriers to EBF has been documented in literature. This information can guide HWs in developing interventions such as health talks which are culturally sensitive. However, this has not been explored from the perspectives of HWs in Ghana. In this paper, we report mothers' and grandmothers' misconceptions and cultural practices that are barriers to EBF in two rural districts in Ghana from the perspectives of Community Health Workers and Community Health Volunteers. Methods We used qualitative data collected in the Kwahu Afram Plains South and North Districts of Ghana through nine focus group discussions (FGDs) among HWs and followed the data saturation principle. All FGDs were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim and translated from local dialects to English. The emerging themes were used in writing a narrative account, guided by the principles of the thematic analysis. Results Our main findings included mothers' and grandmothers' perceptions that HWs themselves do not practice EBF. Mothers had the perception that grandmothers did not practice EBF but their children grew well, and gestures of babies suggested their readiness to start eating. Misconceptions revealed included beliefs that breastmilk is watery in nature and does not satisfy infants. Another misconception was that babies gain weight faster when not exclusively breastfed but fed on infant formulas. A custom of giving corn flour mixed with water or light porridge during the first few days after birth to welcome newborns was also reported.

Development of Weaning Index on Islamic Community Based on Religion, Nutritional, and Psychological Aspect: A Qualitative Exploration

“…The results from this study is in line with the previous study reported that weaning at 2 years of age is beneficial for the child, mom, and whole families [9][10][11][12]. Negative impact caused by early weaning, according to Quran expert, is not always considered as negative since breastfeeding practice needs consents and supports from both parents of the child and whole family [13][14][15]. It considers ability from the mother to breastfed and whole family to support.…”

The association between paternal characteristics and exclusive breastfeeding in Ghana

“…Studies have also documented the traditional practice of giving herbal concoctions to infants to drink after birth, especially in the Northern part of Ghana. It is perceived that herbal concoctions make the infants strong and healthy [ 25 – 27 ].…”

Effectiveness of Leininger's Transcultural-based GATHER Counseling Model on Exclusive Breastfeeding

“…In counseling without being based on the the Leininger's Transcultural, counseling was only given to postpartum mothers so that only postpartum mothers understand exclusive breastfeeding, while parents as decision-makers were not involved. This condition caused families to tend to provide negative support to postpartum mothers (9) . The form of non-probreastfeeding support that was often done by mothers was to encourage postpartum mothers to give formula milk on days 1 and 2 because the production of milk was less according to the family (10) .…”

“…The form of non-probreastfeeding support that was often done by mothers was to encourage postpartum mothers to give formula milk on days 1 and 2 because the production of milk was less according to the family (10) . Another mistaken belief was that babies gained weight rapidly when fed on infant formulas (9) . The family does not understand that colostrum production was in accordance with the needs of the baby and the size of the baby's stomach with a capacity of ± 5 cc.…”