The Prevalence Of Exclusive Breastfeeding In Fosu Sub-District

ABSTRACT Studies have shown that human milk and breastfeeding of infant provides advantages with regard to general health, growth and development for infants. Mothers who breastfeed their babies may also gain health benefits. In addition to health benefits to mothers and infants, breastfeeding provides significant social and economic benefits to nations and individuals. Researchers have found out that both mother and infant can maximise the benefits if they practice exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of the infants’ life. Because of the importance of breastfeeding, various organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nation Childrens’ Emergency Fund (UNICEF), institutions, Non Governmental Organizations and Ministry of Health (MOH) in different countries are making efforts to promote it. In Assin District in the Central Region, the health workers have embarked on educational programs to promote the practice. Unfortunately, the prevalence of the practice in the district is not known. This makes it difficult to evaluate the impact of educational programs on breastfeeding in the district. The main objective of the study was to determine through a survey the proportion of women who practised exclusive breastfeeding in the study area. A cross sectional approach was used in the study. The inclusion criteria for the study were the mothers of children aged between 6-12 months. Midwives, Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) and District Nutrition Officer were also interviewed. Interview guide and pre-coded questionnaire were used to obtain information from mothers and the health providers.The study showed that the estimated prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding feeding practice in Fosu sub-district was 42.7%. Again, the study found out that, breastfeeding was universal in the communities. All the study subjects breastfed their infants during the first six months of their life. Family members such as husband, grandmothers, in-laws, parents, and neighbours influenced the breastfeeding practice during the first 6 months of infant life. Other factors like age, occupation and education also influenced the practice. Two hundred and eighty (94.9%) out of 295 mothers interviewed have heard about exclusive breastfeeding initiative. Based on the findings, the following recommendations were made: 1. Vigorous education should be embarked upon by the health providers to remove the erroneous impression about the practice of exclusive breastfeeding in the study area; 2. Education about exclusive breastfeeding should not be limited to mothers alone. They should involve grandmothers, grandfathers, and general public in breastfeeding education; 3. Health workers should constantly remind the population of the importance of exclusive breastfeeding during their outreach programs and their home visits; and 4. Various women groups should be helped to form breastfeeding promotion groups to help educate the community and to support breastfeeding mothers.