Nigerian Journal of Paediatrics (Jul 2024)

Breastfeeding practices in early infancy in Benin city, Nigeria

  • Akpan UJ ,
  • Ibadin MO,
  • Abiodun PO

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 42, no. 2
pp. 126 – 131

Abstract

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Background: Adequateearly infant nutrition is essential for subsequent optimum growth and development of the child. Exclusive breastfeeding is the cornerstone of the best possible nutrition in early infancy. Objective: To assess current breastfeeding practices in early infancy in Benin City and further progress ( if any) that may have been made in the realisation of optimal early infant feeding practices in the locale in the preceding decade. Methods: A community-based household survey was carried out in three representative wards in Egor Local Government Area of Benin City, from June to September, 2009. Infant feeding practices were evaluated using pre-tested questionnaires on 1068 mothers of infants aged less than 12 months. Result: Five hundred and forty-six (51.1%) infants were aged less than 6 months. The Ever Breastfed Rate was 100.0% while the Timely Suckling Rate was 35.5%. The Exclusive and Predominant Breastfeeding Rates were respectively 40.7% and 30.4% while the Bottle-feeding Rate was 32.2%.Most (98.4%) mothers had correct information about exclusive breastfeeding obtained mainly from antenatal clinics and immunization centres. Factors significantly associated with EBF were high maternal education (X2 9.718; p = 0.045), high socioeconomic status (X2= 12.910; p = 0.012), increasing maternal age (X2 = 14.777; p = 0.022), higher parity (X2 = 15.212; p = 0.009), delivery in hospital (X2 = 15.079; p = 0.020) and infant’s age (X2 = 100.482; P = 0.0001). Conclusions/Recommendations: Breastfeeding practices in Benin City have not improved much from what obtained a decade earlier. Greater emphasis on female education and socio-economic empowerment are advocated as tools for improvement. Reinvigoration of the Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative is also recommended to ensure continued health facility interface that would ensure community mobilisation and support for optimal breastfeeding.

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