Factors Influencing Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF) Practices among Female Health Workers in Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
- August 29, 2020
- Posted by: RSIS Team
- Categories: Health Sciences, IJRIAS
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science (IJRIAS) | Volume V, Issue IV, July 2020 | ISSN 2454-6194
Kehinde P. Ajewole1, Deborah F. Olorunfemi2, Remilekun E. Alabi3, Vincent G. Jemilohun4, Olubunmi R. Olagoke5
1Department of Statistics, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State Nigeria
2,3,5Department of Mathematics & Statistics, Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
4Department of Business Administration and Management, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
Abstract
Background and Purpose: Exclusive breastfeeding means babies are given only breast milk and nothing else; no other milk, food, drink, not even water for one day (24hrs) before the survey was conducted. It prevents 13% of childhood mortality; i.e. at least 1.2 million children worldwide would be saved every year. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors influencing exclusive breastfeeding practices among female health workers in Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on 150 healthcare workers in Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State. Data were collected by a self-administered questionnaire. The first part of the questionnaire included questions about socio demographic characteristics of respondents while the other five parts of the questionnaire consisted of practice of exclusive breastfeeding, factors influencing practice of exclusive breastfeeding, duration of maternity leave and practice of exclusive breastfeeding, method of delivery and practice of exclusive breastfeeding and availability of help at home and practice of exclusive breastfeeding respectively. The instrument for data collection was validated questionnaire with reliability coefficient of 0.80, using Cronbach’s alpha test. Data analysis, including descriptive and analytical statistics was performed using SPSS ver. 23. A P≤0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The findings showed that majority of the respondents had high knowledge and are practicing exclusive breast feeding (171, 57%). The overall practice was highly adequate. There was a significant relationship between the duration of maternity leave and practices of exclusive breastfeeding, type of delivery and practices of exclusive breastfeeding and homes availability of help at home and practices of exclusive breastfeeding.
Conclusion: The present study showed a high practicing of Exclusive Breastfeeding among female health workers in Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State. Intensive awareness creation on benefits of exclusive breast feeding should be carried out for mothers during ante-natal period.
Keywords: Exclusive Breastfeeding, Health care workers, Benefits, Breast milk, Mortality.
