Predictors of infant-survival practices among mothers attending paediatric clinics in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Despite concerted global efforts towards achieving infant-survival, infant mortality lingers as a problem in developing countries. Environmental and personal-level factors are assumed to account for this situation. This study was undertaken to provide better understanding of the dynamics of predictors of infant-survival practices among mothers with infants attending paediatric clinics.Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was adopted. Data was collected from 386 consenting nursing mothers selected by stratified sampling technique. Interviewer-administered questionnaires were used for data collection. The questionnaire consisted of 38-items involving demographic information of respondents, health-literacy counsels received during antenatal care, social-support from significant others and self-efficacy to carry-out infant-survival instructions. Responses were transformed into rating scales for each variable and data analysis was conducted by linear regression analysis with test of hypotheses, at 5% level of significance.Results: The mean age of respondents was 29.79±5.84years. Majority (81.6%) were married. Yorubas (83.90%) were predominant. Participants had mean scores of 11.41±3.91, 10.61±3.67 and 16.61±4.56 respectively computed for levels of health-literacy, social-support and self-efficacy. The dependent variable measured was their level of infant-survival practices and respondents scored 16.53±4.71. The study found a significant association among variables. Self-efficacy was the major predictor variable of self-reported infant-survival practices (R=4.66; R2=0.217; P˂0.05).Conclusion: We conclude that participants had average levels of health-literacy, social-support, self-efficacy and infant-survival practices. Efforts should be made by healthcare providers to empower pregnant women on activities essential for infant-survival. Family members of nursing mothers should as well be knowledgeable about the advantages of supporting them.