Abstract:
The practice of not giving breast milk to baby has been connected with unexpected
infant death syndrome and other neonatal morbidity and mortality. Mothers who
breastfeed their babies have several benefits such as decreased risk of postpartum
bleeding and others. In addressing this problem, maternal knowledge and perception
towards exclusive breastfeeding was assessed. The objective of this study was to
assess maternal perception, knowledge, attitude and practices of exclusive
breastfeeding among nursing mothers. Cross sectional study type was used to
conduct the study. A semi structured questionnaire was used in the study to collect
data from the respondent. Sampling was used to select 100 nursing mothers who are
still breastfeeding in the Tano North District. The study revealed maternal
knowledge, practices, age, marital status and level of education can influence
exclusive breastfeeding. It was revealed that 86% affirming to mature mothers
affecting breastfeeding. This means that mature mothers exclusively breastfeed more
than experienced mothers and teenagers. It was also revealed that (65%) of mothers
affirming to the practice of exclusive breastfeeding because of advice from midwives.
However, among the reasons some nursing mothers do not practice exclusive
breastfeeding were breast milk alone cannot satisfy the child (82%), suffer from pains
in the breast during breastfeeding (11%) and sores on the nipples prevent them from
practicing (28%). The study also affirms that babies that were not exclusively
breastfed but introduced to infant formulas were susceptible to various disease and
infections and were either less or overweight. It is recommended that initiation of
breastfeeding within the first hour of life also Infants should be exclusively breastfed
for the first six months of life to achieve optimal growth, development and health.
Description:
A Dissertation in the Department of HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM
EDUCATION, Faculty of VOCATIONAL/TECHNICAL EDUCATION,
submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, University of Education, Winneba,
in partial fulfilment of the requirements for award of the Master of Technology
(Catering and Hospitality) degree
OCTOBER, 2016