The Effect Of Maternal Nutrition On The Exclusive Breastfeeding Of Infant

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The importance of exclusive breastfeeding cannot be overemphasized. Government at all levels and health practitioners have embarked on various health outreaches to encourage exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of the infant’s life. However, this intervention seems not to be yielding the desired results as there are several maternal factors that could hinder the continuation of exclusive breastfeeding which could range from maternal occupation, perception, socio-economic status etc. Therefore the present study aims at investigating the relationship between maternal nutrition, quality of life and exclusive breastfeeding in a sample of mothers from Egor Local Government Area of Edo State. 

Based on the problems, the following research questions are asked.

 1. What are the effects of maternal nutrition on exclusive breastfeeding of infants? 

2. What is the influence of maternal socio-economic status on the practice of exclusive breastfeeding? 

3.  What are the effects of maternal occupation on the actualization of exclusive breastfeeding?

 4. What is the influence of maternal perception on exclusive breastfeeding?

1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of maternal nutrition on exclusive breastfeeding. 

1. To ascertain the influence of maternal socio-economic status, occupation and perception on the attainment of exclusive breastfeeding

2. To ascertain the relationship between material nutrition and breastfeeding of infant

3. To ascertain the impact of breastfeeding on a child health

1.4 RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

For the successful completion of the study, the following research hypotheses were formulated by the researcher;  

H0: there is no influence of maternal socio-economic status, occupation and perception on the attainment of exclusive breastfeeding

 H1: there is influence of maternal socio-economic status, occupation and perception on the attainment of exclusive breastfeeding

H02: there is no relationship between material nutrition and breastfeeding of infant

H2: there is relationship between material nutrition and breastfeeding of infant 

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Inspite of government, Health practitioners and non-governmental organizations effort over the years, to sensitize the people of Egor Local Government Area through seminars, lectures, workshops and door to door campaign on the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding to both mother and child, little has been done in the area of research to ascertain if this outreach is yielding desired result in terms of attitudinal change of the people of the local government. Data are not readily available to show progress made or otherwise. This prompted the need for this research work. This study will also serves as a basis for more research work on the field of study.