GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND

                     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 Wiley, 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 etal 2021). 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; Eidelmanal 2022).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, 2024). 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, 2015). 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 recommendations and reports from other studies, EBF is not still practiced by all breastfeeding mothers. Further research on this using pregnant mothers 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, 2015) …

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.

               From the just reviewed literature, just few studies have been conducted regarding mothers knowledge attitude and practice so effective breastfeeding, thus there is an urgent need for more studies to be conducted to address this gap.

               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 pregnant mothers has toward the practices of EBF. So that new born babies’ health problem can avoid thereby reducing infant mortality.

1.3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1.3.1 General research question

           What is the level of knowledge, practice and challenges pregnant mothers implement in exclusive. Breast feeding at CMA Bonamoussadi?

1.3.2 Specific research questions

1. What level of knowledge do Breast feeding mothers have on EBF at CMA Bonamoussadi?
2. How do Breast feeding mothers at CMA Bonamoussadi practice EBF?
3. What are the challenges of Breast-feeding mothers at CMA Bonamoussadi regarding EBF?

1.3.3 Main research objective

             Assess the knowledge practice and challenges pregnant mothers implent in exclusive breast feeding at CMA Bonamoussadi Distict Hospital

1.4 RESEARCH OBJECTIVE

1.4.1 General research objective

            To assess the knowledge, practice and challenges pregnant mothers implement in exclusive. Breast feeding at CMA Bonamoussadi. 

1.4.2 Specific Objective.

1. To assess Breast feeding mothers knowledge on EBF at CMA Bonamoussadi.
2. To find out how Breast-feeding mothers do practice EBF.
3. To assess Breast feeding mothers challenges towards EBF at CMA Bonamoussadi.

1.5 RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS Null Hypothesis (H0): In this study, it is assumed that pregnant mothers at the CMA Bonamoussadi District Hospital do not have adequate knowledge and do not effectively practice exclusive breastfeeding due to existing challenges.

 Alternative Hypothesis (H1): In this study, it is assumed that pregnant mothers at the CMA Bonamoussadi District Hospital have adequate knowledge and are able to practice exclusive breastfeeding despite existing challenges.