Breast Feeding and Weaning Practices among Post-Partum Mothers in Selected Health Facilities in Umuahia Metropolis in Abia State.

Abstract

Purpose: This study examined the breastfeeding and weaning practices among postpartum mothers in selected health facilities in Umuahia metropolis, Abia State, Nigeria. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive design survey was conducted among 135 postpartum mothers who were conveniently selected from health facilities in Umuahia metropolis, Nigeria. The health facilities were selected by multi stage sampling technique. Data were collected using a self-structured questionnaire that incorporated the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form questionnaire by Faux and Dennis and analyzed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21. Results: Findings showed that 78.1% had adequate initiation of breastfeeding (0-1 hour after childbirth), 28.9% of the participants initiated breastfeeding at 0-30 minutes of childbirth while 54.7% of the participants did not practice exclusive breastfeeding. Most (83.6%) of the participants had adequate BFSE scores. About 31.3% of the participants practiced good commencement of complimentary feeding. Majority of the participants used infant milk formula (33.6%) and Pap with sugar (12.5%) for complimentary feeding. The hypothesis tested revealed that there is a significant strong positive relationship between age and BFSE (p = 0.000*, γ effect size = 92.1%) and there is also a significant strong positive relationship between parity of mother and BFSE (p = 0.000*, γ effect size = 61.2%). There was good initiation of breast feeding but poor practice of exclusive breastfeeding amidst good BFSE. Based on the findings the researcher recommended that Stake holders in maternal and child health should design community based platforms for the identification and discourse of the reasons for the poor compliance with exclusive breastfeeding. Recommendation: Stake holders in maternal and child health should design community based platforms for the identification and discourse of the reasons for the poor compliance with Exclusive Breastfeeding.