Okafor AE, Agwu PC, Okoye UO, Uche OA, Oyeoku EK. Factors Associated with Exclusive Breastfeeding Practice among Nursing Mothers in rural areas of Enugu State and its Implications for Social Work Practice in Nigeria.
Soc Work Public Health 2017;
33:140-148. [PMID:
29281585 DOI:
10.1080/19371918.2017.1415182]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
This study investigates factors that influence exclusive breastfeeding practice. Focus group discussions involving 60 nursing mothers from selected rural areas of Enugu State, Nigeria, was adopted. Thematic analysis was adopted in analyzing data collected. Findings show that nursing mothers in the study area are yet to fully accept the 6 months' practice of exclusive breastfeeding. Issues relating to culture, economic hardship, and support networks were revealed to exercise gross influence on practice of exclusive breastfeeding. The study concluded that professional support from social workers is very vital to achieving conformity to the practice. This can be done through awareness creation that would accommodate support networks, while adopting exclusive breastfeeding campaign models that have proven successful in other African nations.
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