Sociocultural Factors as Predictor to Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF) Practice among Nursing Mothers in some Communities in Eastern, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

This study examined the demographic and sociocultural influences on the level of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) practices in Enugu state. The major instrument for data collection was a uniform set of structured questionnaire and in-depth interviews with the husbands, grandmothers/mothers-in-law, health workers, women leaders, and traditional/community leaders. Data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages and chi-squared test. Qualitative data were analyzed with ATLAS.ti. The study established that the prevalence level of EBF practice was relatively low (27%) in all the local government areas in the state. The result also showed that several sociocultural factors affected EBF practice. Some of them were: influence of TBAs (91%); poor nutrition in family menu (82%); campaign/marketing of artificial feed (78.3%), unfavorable conditions in the work place (66.8%); belief that lack of water can kill a baby (64.6%) and influence of grandmothers/mothers-in-law (64.2%). The results further revealed that age, occupation, parity, and educational qualification of the mothers influences the level of EBF practice. The findings also revealed that majority of mothers practice mixed feeding in the name of EBF practice. It is suggested that more efforts are needed in giving proper and adequate education and skilled counseling on EBF practice and sociocultural factors associated with the practice.

KEYWORDS:

• sociocultural
• demographic
• exclusive breastfeeding
• nursing mothers
• Nigeria

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank all the research assistants who helped in the data collection. All the participants in the questionnaire survey and in depth interviews are highly appreciated. The authors are grateful to Mr Ikechukwu Ihedioha for the data analysis.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The authors reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.