ABSTRACT

Background: Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) means that the infant receives only breast milk with no supplementation of any type (no water, no juice, no nonhuman milk, and no foods) to except for vitamins, minerals and medications until six months (WHO, 2017).Objective:The study was to assess the Knowledge of Exclusive Breastfeeding and Factors Affecting It’s Practice Among Lactating Mothers At the Regional Hospital Limbe.Method: a cross sectional descriptive design was used for the study whereby data was collected from 50 lactating mothers in the buea regional hospital. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaire analyzed using Microsoft excel and represented in frequency table, bar chart, histogram, Results: 20(40%) of the mothers were aged 21 to 25, 26(56%) were married and Christian where about 37(74%). Base on the Majority (74%) of the lactating mothers had heard about EBF and their main source of information were from health institution. With regards to Attitude of EBF 37(74%) of the lactating mothers prefer to feed their child only with breasts milk for six months and also agreed that only EBF is enough for a child up to 6 months. According to respond gotten from EBF practice by the participants most 35(70%) of the mothers did breastfeed their child on demand. Conclusion: The study show greater level of understanding on mother’s knowledge on the important of EBF and their Attitude and Practice were relatively encouraging. Recommendation: The government should increase funding for researches that promote EBF and working and working mother’s maternity leave should be expand to 6 months.

Key Words: Knowledge, Attitude and Practice

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Breast milk is critical for sustaining new born infant health and wellbeing. Infants who are properly breastfed grow better and experience less sickness and fewer deaths than other infants who are not breastfed (John, 2005). Breastfeeding is a natural process of infant feeding involving two main methods; exclusive and partial with the latter being trendiest. Nevertheless, exclusivity is the absolute and suitable scheme with finest domino effect. However, a good mental, emotional and physical collaboration between the mother and her new born for desired outcome (Khreseh et al, 201 1). Breastfeeding definition is that internationally recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Full breastfeeding is breastfeeding either exclusively or predominantly. Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) means giving a baby no other food or drink, including water; in addition to breast milk (medicines and vitamins and minerals drops are permitted). On the other hand, partial breastfeeding includes other feeding methods in addition to breastfeeding regardless of the content (WHO, 2017). The American Academy of Pediatrics policy statement on breastfeeding and the use of human milk has established recommendations for EBF for a baby for six months of age, followed by the addition of complementary foods to continue breastfeeding through the baby’s first year, and continuation of breastfeeding for as long as desired by the mother and infant (AAP, 2017; Eidelman al 2012).The WHO (2017) and UNICEF (2017) have offered an even stronger recommendation: Initiation of breastfeeding within the first after birth; EBF for the first six months; and continued breastfeeding for two years or more, together with safe, nutritionally adequate, age  appropriate, responsive complementary feeding starting in the sixth month. Despite the great advances in health services in Saudi Arabia, studies have reported a downward trend in breastfeeding practice. In this study 24.4% of infants were exclusively breastfed at the age of 6months.In Riyadh only 0.8% of infants

were exclusively breastfed for the first 4-6months, and the rates rises to 1.7% among infants at age of 6months in Jidda. Higher rates of 27.3% and 33.1% were reported in Al-Kharj and in Dammam, respectively (Jasser et al, 2004). However, breastfeeding is nearly universal in Egypt, the Egyptian Demographic and Health Survey showed that 47% of infants received prelacteal feeds(i.e., they are given some type of liquid until the mother’s breast milk flows freely).As well; a Minority of babies are exclusively breast fed throughout the first 6months of life (El-Zanaty and Associates, 2014).

In Cameroon, according to the Demographic Health Survey (DHS),although 99% of babies are breast fed at birth, only 24% are exclusively breastfed up to 6months (DHS, 2004). EBF in Cameroon was reported at 28% in 2014.According to the Public Health Ministry officials, Cameroon’s EBF rate stands at 40%. The figures contained in the 2018 Demographic and Health Survey report, indicates that EBF in Cameroon is still a struggle, which is left with 10% to reach the 2025 target. To this effect, despite WHO recommendation and reports from other studies, EBF is not still practiced by all breastfeeding mothers. Further research on this using lactating mother Ndongo Quarter was vital to explore more knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding EBF, and to find out possible barriers so as to develop strategies for raising awareness to overcome barriers and improved breastfeeding rate(Jasser et al, 2004)..

1.2 Statement of Problem

Exclusive breast feeding (EBP) is the best nutrition for children during the first 6 month of life. However EBF remain a challenge in the world< Africa and also Cameroon. In the world, united states of America most women in the united states are aware that breastfeeding is the best source of nutrition for most infants, but they seem to lack knowledge about its specific benefits and are unable to cite the risk associated with breastfeeding.

In Africa, a cross sectional study was conducted among 350 mothers in Mizan Awan southwest of Ethiopa in April 2015 and it was found out that, 314 mother with their index child less than 2years were enrolled even though 93.6% of them had heard of EBF, only 34.7% were knowledgeable about he recommended duration about 89% had positive but only 59% believed that only EBF is enough for the child up to 6 month and 26% of children were exclusively breastfed for 6 months. In Cameroon, Yaounde, a study was carryout on random selected individuals who were 503 in number. In the study it was found out that majority of women were aware of the compliance with EBF why some practice it and few lack the knowledge.

However some lactating mothers are unaware of the benefit of EBF and risk associated with bottle feeding, this therefore seeks to further investigate how much knowledge lactating mother has toward the practices of EBF. So that new born babies health problem can avoided thereby reducing infant mortality

1.3 Hypothesis    

Lactating mothers have inadequate knowledge, and express poor attitude and practices on Exclusive breastfeeding.

1.4 Research Questions

• What level of knowledge do lactating mothers have on EBF at the Regional Hospital Limbe?
• How do lactating mothers’ at the Regional Hospital Limbe practice EBF?
• What are the attitudes of lactating mothers in at the Regional Hospital Limbe regarding EBF?

1.3 General Objective

To assess the Knowledge of Exclusive Breastfeeding and Factors Affecting It’s Practice Among Lactating Mothers At the Regional Hospital Limbe. 

1.3.1 Specific Objective.

• To assess lactating mothers knowledge on EBF at the Regional Hospital Limbe.
• To assess lactating mothers attitude towards EBF at the Regional Hospital Limbe.
• To find out how lactating mothers do practice EBF.