Knowledge And Attitude Of Nursing Mothers On Exclusive Breastfeeding

This project aimed at ascertaining the knowledge, practice, attitudes, feelings and some beliefs of exclusive breastfeeding among nursing mothers at Legon Hospital. The study was that of a descriptive one that relied on data collection using questionnaires administered to 50 nursing mothers who are breastfeeding babies aged between 1-12 months. From the study ,majority of the children,17{34%} brought to the post natal clinic were between 3-4 months, with also majority of the participants from East Leonean area apparently with high infrastructural development high residential status, suggesting upper income level earners. Also, majority of nursing mothers, 45{90%}, believe in EBF as beneficial to children.

This indicates a positive relation among the as far as EBF promotion is concerned. Again, for the fact that majority of them,36{75%}said that they would breastfeed exclusively for 5-6 months suggest that most of the children in the age range 3-4 months are most likely to be exclusively breastfed for 6 months. Most of the mothers are traders and artisans which implies they the bulk of the supporters and believers of EBF.They therefore need a back-up support and motivation to propagate the education on EBF. Almost an equal number of either side of the mothers know or did not know of breast milk expression and storage. An effective way is to embark on an extensive education on EBF, expression, storage and management of breast milk on television, radio programmes, antenatal and postnatal clinics as well as individual counselin