INFLUENCE OF INFORMATION SOURCES ON KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING AMONG NURSING MOTHERS IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Exclusive Breastfeeding (EB), the feeding of infants with breastmilk only in the first six months of life, is a determinant of nutritional status of children and an enhancement of nursing mothers’ health. Previous studies in communication of breastfeeding messages have focused on their optimisation with interest in nursing mothers’ practice. However, there is a dearth of literature on the connection between sources of nursing mothers’ information on EB and practice. This study was, therefore, designed to examine the sources of EB information available to Nursing Mothers (NMs) in Ogun State, with a view to establishing the influence of these sources on NMs’ knowledge of, attitude to and practice of EB. Theory of Planned Behaviour and the Elaboration Likelihood Model were used as the framework, while the mixed methods design was adopted. Six Local Government Areas (LGA): Ado Odo/Ota, Yewa North, Abeokuta South, Odeda, Sagamu and Odogbolu (two LGAs per Senatorial District SD), were purposively selected for having the highest and lowest numbers of health facilities in each SD. Six hundred NMs, 100 per LGA were selected from five health facilities in each local government. Two focus group discussions were conducted with 10 NMs each in two Primary Health Centres. Key informant interview was also conducted with the Chief Nutrition Officer of the State Primary Health Care Board (SPHCB). Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were subjected to constant comparative analysis. Information sources available to NMs include health workers (doctors, nurses, and community health extension workers CHEW), mass media (radio and television), advocacy groups, interactions with friends, parents/parents-in-law and community leaders. Most NMs derived their EB information from health workers (85.5%). Other NMs derived EB information from parents/parents-in-law (78.5%), radio (64.8%), television (56.7%), interactions with friends (50.7%) and advocacy groups (30.8%). Knowledge of EB was above average among NMs as 53.8% of NMs believed all they needed to give their infants in the first six months were breastmilk and prescribed drugs. Attitude towards EB was positive as 86.4% of NMs believed that in spite of their ability to afford baby formula, they still preferred EB because it was good for their babies’ health. Practice of EB among NMs was, however, low as NMs’ continuation of EB dropped from 50.9% after two months to 45.3% after three months. The Nutrition Officer of the SPHCB confirmed that EB practice in the State was at 30.6% which was above the national average of 17% due to the quality of information being provided. Sources of information had limited influence on the practice of EB among NMs because they admitted that their work schedule determined the extent of EB practice. Sources of information on exclusive breastfeeding among nursing mothers in Ogun State have strong influence on knowledge and attitude but limited influence on actual practice.