Breastfeeding is considered the complete nutritional source for infants because breast milk contains the essential carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and immunological factors needed for infants to thrive and resist infection in the formative first year of life. Knowledge of EBF among women is essential when promoting optimal breastfeeding practices. This cross-sectional descriptive survey assessed knowledge and intention to practice EBF and its associated factors during pregnancy among primiparous women in selected communities in Enugu State, Nigeria.
A total population study that applied inclusion criteria was used to recruit 201 primiparous mothers attending their third-trimester antenatal care from selected health facilities in rural and urban communities in Enugu State.
In contrast, Chi-square and Wald statistic tests predicted demographic data associated with knowledge status and intention to practice EBF participants. More than half of primiparous mothers had inadequate knowledge of EBF, and only 62.7% had the choice to breastfeed for 4–6 months exclusively.
Researchers may improve poor EBF knowledge and discretion to practice this population by combining facility-based and in-house breastfeeding counseling methods, education, and support, especially to intending and expectant mothers. Further studies are needed to be done using the multiparous women and assessing the effects of in-house EBF supportive-educative intervention to improve breastfeeding outcomes.
Reference: https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jp/2019/9832075/
