FACTORS INFLUENCING EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING PRACTICES AMONG MOTHERS IN ASUOGYAMAN DISTRICT, EASTERN REGION GHANA

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Exclusive breastfeeding has been known to contribute to child survival. Despite the high rates of exclusive breastfeeding on discharge from health facilities in the Asuogyaman District, nursing mothers often discontinue the practice at home and resort to inappropriate infant feeding practices. There has been no recent study on the factors influencing exclusive breastfeeding practices in the Asuogyaman District. The study sought to describe the exclusive breastfeeding practices and identify the factors that influence decision of the mother to comply with the recommended breastfeeding practices. METHODS: A cross sectional study was carried out from 17th to 23rd June 2008; A triangulation of qualitative (FGD, IDI and observation) and quantitative (structured questionnaires) research methods were used to describe the factors that influence breastfeeding practices among nursing mothers in the Asuogyaman District. A total number of 400 mothers attending child welfare clinics with infants aged between 3 months to 9 months were randomly selected and interviewed using a structured questionnaire. This was complimented with three focus group discussions: one with mothers, one with fathers of infants and another with nurses. Other techniques used were: In-depth interviews with grandmothers, TBA‟s and health workers; Observation of breastfeeding practices of mothers in the VRA hospital was also carried out. Descriptive statistics was used to describe proportions; and univariant and logistic regression analysis were done to explore factors influencing the decisions of the mothers to breastfeed exclusively.

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RESULTS: Out of 400 mothers interviewed, initiation of breastfeeding within I hour of birth was 31.5%, and within I day was 85%. The overall exclusive breastfeeding rate was 62%, for infants under six months, it was 68% and for those above 6 months, it was 57.9%. Colostrum was given by 87.5% of mothers and a prelacteal food was 15.5%. Common prelacteal foods were water 27%, Coconut water 23.7%, glucose water 20.3% and infant formula 13.6%. By logistic regression analysis, the level of education of the mother and place of delivery were factors that mostly influenced her decision to breastfeed exclusively. CONCLUSION: Despite higher rates of initiation and exclusive breastfeeding, practices such as prelacteal feeds and introduction of complementary foods are of great concern in the Asuogyaman District.