Assessment of Exclusive Breastfeeding Practice among Women of Reproductive Age in Egor Local Government Council Secretariat, Edo State

Abstract

The research was carried out to investigate the practice of exclusive breastfeeding and its associated factors amongst women of reproductive age in Egor Local Government Council Secretariat of Edo State. A descriptive cross-sectional study design amongst 206 women of reproductive age with a purposive sampling technique was used to select the participants for the study. Data collection was feasible using structured self–administered standard interviewer schedule (questionnaires) over a month. The findings revealed that the level of the knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding among women is high (72.81%), with the modal age group of the respondents being 38-41 (33.66%), only 49.5% of the women practised exclusive breastfeeding. The perceived factors influencing exclusive breastfeeding include non-availability of crèche in the workplace, demanding work schedule and inadequate support from the workplace. Based on the findings, education on breastfeeding and the creation of awareness on the subject matter was recommended to the respondents.