1.1 Introduction
Breast feeding which is the act of feeding babies with breast milk. This is a universal cultural practice among human species of all races. However, there are commonly observable variations in the frequency and exclusiveness of application of breast milk in the feeding of babies. Nurses play a major role in the promotion and implementation of Primary Health care (Paho, 2021).
Since nurses are the bedrock in the delivery of healthcare, they frequently need to be updated with adequate knowledge so that they, in turn, spread adequate information and skills to mothers and the community as a whole. However, the health and nutritional status of children and mothers are intimately linked. Breastfeeding provides the healthiest beginning for the infant (NIYCF, 2006-2010).
This chapter will address the background information that motivated this study, the challenges that prompted it, its aim, and its objectives as a preface to subsequent sections of the study. Additional factors include the study's significance, scope, limitations, research questions and hypotheses, and the definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is the application of breast milk alone in the feeding of a baby for at least four months and if possible six months of life, without the addition of water, food or drinks. The baby however receives vitamins, minerals and medicines in the form of drops and syrup as need arises (WHO,1981). The World Health Organization WHO (2001) received the optional duration of EBF to six months of life. The second type of breastfeeding, predominant breastfeeding (PBF), on the other hand, implies that the infants predominant source of nourishment is breast milk. The infant in this type receives in addition of breast milk, water and water based drinks (WHO 2001). Complimentary breastfeeding (CBF) or mixed feeding occurs where factory produced baby formula is the primary source of nourishment for the infant, the breast milk given occasionally. This practice offers mother chance to attend to their daily activities while nannies and house helps attend to babies: This present study was however concerned with exclusive breastfeeding.
Promotion of breastfeeding, particularly EBF, has been the focus of many public health and nutrition programmes and activities in recent years. Thus a joint World health Organization/ united Nations children’s fund (WHO/UNICEF) meeting on infant and young child feeding was held in Genera in 1979 and the emphasis was on breast feeding. In 1981 The combined force of the W.H.O and UNICEF produced the W.H.O international code of marketing of breast milk substitute. The main aim of the code obviously was to safeguard the practice of breast feeding. To enhance breastfeeding practices, WHO launched the baby friendly hospital initiative in 1992 as a primary intervention strategy for promoting and strengthening national health systems. The initiative has been implemented in 138 countries (including Nigeria) and the number of hospitals world wide designated baby friendly has risen from 6,300 in 1995 to nearly 40,000 by mid 2008 (WHO, 2009). Cataldo De Bryne and whitney (1999) asserted that EBF is an unequalled way of providing ideal food for the healthy growth and development of infants. The authors explained that nutritionally, breast milk is a complete food for the infant, providing all the nutrients needed for the first month of life.
Psychologically, breastfeeding permits an initial bonding between mother and child. Economically, breast-milk economizes on house hold expenditures on food and requires no itensils, water or fuel for preparation. However, the lactating woman do not have higher nutrient requirements and make substantial time to breastfeeding. Berg and Brenms (1989) cited breast milk for it’s anti-infective properties, lower incidence of diarrhea diseases, allergies and other illness among breastfed infants. It removes the danger of malnutrition caused by dilution of bottle feed and of infection caused by unhygienic preparation (Berg and Brenms, 1989).
However, it seems that EBF is still not widely accepted campaign by government and non-governmental organizations have gone far, but it appears not to be yielding expected dividend. The question that are yet to be answered, lies in determining those factors which can predict levels of acceptance or rejection of EBF. Possible predictor could be sourced from social mographic circumstances of the mothers. For instance such social demographic factors as religious affiliation, occupation, educational status, parity, age, as well as location are deemed to be capable of influencing adoption of exclusive breastfeeding. Parity has to do with the number of deliveries a woman has had. Breastfeeding, in Nigeria is still the norm as most mothers breastfeed their babies traditionally. However, exclusive breastfeeding is an innovation to the traditional way of feeding an infant where mothers starts complementary feeding as early as two months of life or even less. A woman who has nursed several babies successfully before may not be easily convinced to stop by giving her infant water and native concoction. She may not see why she should change her method of feeding, since she has successfully used such to nurse her older children (Mathai, 1983).
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to assess the Knowledge and Benefits of Exclusive Breastfeeding Amongst Women.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Exclusive breastfeeding is a new method of breastfeeding which has been introduced by WHO/UNIEF. These two bodies have tasted it and find it successful for solving many problems in an infant. Breastfeeding practices have undergone tremendous medical, cultural and sometimes religious challenges and debate. There has not been a mechanism put in place to keep proper or concrete records on the activities as well as indicators of Exclusive Breastfeeding and mothers support groups in hospitals, polyclinics and health centres in Nigeria (UNICEF; WABA, 2003).
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to ascertain the Knowledge and Benefits of Exclusive Breastfeeding Amongst Women in Nigeria. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows to:
- Find out the perception on exclusive breastfeeding among postnatal mothers.
- Assess the level of Breastfeeding mothers' views about the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding;
- Determine the level of breastfeeding mother's views about barriers to exclusive breastfeeding;
- Identify the behaviour and feelings of participants towards exclusive breastfeeding of participants;
- Investigate any kind of support for breastfeeding mothers on exclusive breastfeeding.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Do the breastfeeding mothers know how important the exclusive breastfeeding is and how to do it?
- Do they have confidence and where do they turn to when they face difficulty?
- Are people around them such as fathers and grandmothers supportive especially when mothers have to resume employment soon after delivery?
- What is the extent of EBF adoption by nursing mothers?
- How does educational status of nursing mothers relate to their extent of adoption of EBF?
- To What extent does parity relate to adoption of EBF by nursing mothers?
- What is the relationship between the age of the mother and adoption of EBF?
