*Corresponding Author: Michael Olabode Tomori, STO/Strategic Information Lead, APIN Public Health Initiatives Ondo Region, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.

Received: April 20, 2021; Published: May 24, 2021

Abstract

Background: Breast milk is the natural first food for babies, it provides all the energy and nutrient that the infant needs for primary month of life and it continues to supply up to half or more of a child’s nutritional needs during the second half of the year and up to one-third during the second year of life. Hence, exclusive breastfeeding is therefore important in protecting infants from infectious diseases, assist in improving their immune system and also very vital for their general health, growth and developments.

Aim: The aim of the study is to investigate into the knowledge, attitude and practice of nursing mothers towards exclusive breastfeeding in Oda, Ondo State.

Methodology: A descriptive study was conducted on nursing mothers in Oda Community. Simple random technique was used in selecting the 260 respondents whose consent was sought before administering the questionnaires. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics of frequencies and percentages.

Results: The study showed that majority 93.5% of the respondents has heard about exclusive breastfeeding, 89% of them practiced exclusive breastfeeding while 11% practiced mixed feeding. 68% of the respondents says that exclusive breastfeeding protect infants against infection, 27.4% of them believed that it is nutritious to infants and of benefits to both the mother and infants.

Conclusion: The study showed high level of knowledge on exclusive breastfeeding among respondents and majority of them practiced exclusive breastfeeding.

Recommendation: Exclusive breastfeeding counseling during clinic visit, health education program should be implemented.

Keywords:Knowledge; Practice; Nursing Mothers; Exclusive Breastfeeding

References

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Citation

Citation: Michael Olabode Tomori. “Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Nursing Mothers towards Exclusive Breastfeeding in Oda Community, Akure South, Ondo State".Acta Scientific Nutritional Health 5.6 (2021): 51-59.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2021 Michael Olabode Tomori. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.