UTILIZATION OF EXCLUSIVE BREAST FEEDING AMONG NURSING MOTHERS IN ILORIN-SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KWARA STATE

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1 UTILIZATION OF EXCLUSIVE BREAST FEEDING AMONG NURSING MOTHERS IN ILORIN-SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KWARA STATE S. O. Oniyangi; O. O. Oycrinde and Olawore P. O. Abstract This study was carried out to investigate the utilization of exclusive among nursing mothers in Ilorin -South Local Government Ara ofkwara State. Related literature were reviewed on the useful ideas and the benefits of to nursing mothers. The population used for the study consists of only nursing mothers who are attending the infants welfare clinics which include civil servants, traders and artisans. The instrument used for the study was questionnaire. Two hundred subjects were randomly selected among the population of nursing mothers within the local government area used for the study. The data were collected using a well self liken structure instrument which was well validated by experts in the area of study and tested for the reliability of study using split half. A spearman rank order was used to analyse the result. A correlation coefficient of (0. 74r) was obtained which indicated that the instrument is reliable for the study. The instrument was administered by the researcher and research assistance. An inferential statistics of chi-square was used to analyse the result. The study revealed that most of the respondents are not aware of the benefits of exclusive, the nature of their job does not permit them to give exclusive. It is therefore recommended that appropriate awareness through campaign jingles should be carried out, waiver should be given to nursing mother to attend to their babies at home to give them exclusive during work by their employers. Introduction Many generations ago, babies were almost universally breast fed; about forty years ago, the number of women who choose to breastfeed began to decline. The lowest proportion of women who breastfed their babies occurred in the early 1970's when fewer than 40% choose to breastfeed and by six weeks after childbirth fewer than 20% were breastfed especially among middle class women (Jellife, 1985). In the few decades past, great changes have occurred in method of infant feedings, especially from universal use of human milk and to bottle feeding with formulae based on cow milk. Wickles (1993) stated that there are two types of feeding. 1. Natural feeding, which is breast milk 2. Artificial feeding, which is cow milk, called formulae. Breastfeeding is an accepted method in Nigeria. It is ideal and is practical among all mothers to ensure that babies are adequately fed, four hourly or less often. For years, human milk was the only food for the young baby and breast feeding is the greatest gift a mother can give to her new infant. Recent studies such as Vanghuist (0) have also identified various.advantages of human breast milk to infants, mothers, families and the society at large. These advantages cut across health, nutritional and developmental benefits. Human milk is uniquely good and superior to infant feeding formula and is naturally and specifically made to suit human beings which differentiate it from all other substitute feeding options, such as cow milk or other artificial formulas. The breastfed infants derives advantages with regards to general health, growth and development and there is tremendous decrease in the risk of acute and chronic illnesses. Most infants in latin America, Asia and Africa do not receive enough breast milk as this is being substituted with herbal tea, water, glucose drink and other liquids within the first sex months of life. In many of these countries where breast milk feeding

2 has been on the decline, low protein calories, malnutrition, diarrhea and other nutritional deficiency diseases usually abound leading to a higher infant mortality rate (vanghuist 0). Esan (1999) reported that the agency for international development aid 5 reported that about mil lion of the third world children die of disease and malnutrition on before reaching the age of five. This can be as a result of mam factors such as intensive feeding habits and the decline in practices. A study earned out by Esan (1999) reveals that exclusive promotion is just an unproven scientific data. People of these beliefs cut across social, ethnic and even educational strata. In view of these beliefs, there was an initiation of baby friendly hospital to institutionalize promotion of exclusive. This include training of mothers on how to achieve exclusive. The baby friendly hospital initiative was launched by UNICEF with support from WHO in It agreed to the letter B in the GOBI formula, while "G" (growth mentoring) the "O" (oral-dehydration)and "I" (immunization) have been very successful, the "B" () is much more difficult to implement as it involves a large number of determinants. These includes psychological and emotional factors within the woman herself her position, status, economic factors and the public. Statement of the Problem The global initiative to promote exclusive is still a concern in Nigeria. This is as a result of an expensive venture; the type of care the child received is no adequate. The practice becomes totally entrenched even amongst those who could barely afford it. Many believe that exclusive causes an undue strain on the mother, Purpose of the Study The focus of this research work/paper therefore is to assist educational activities by tying to identify the rate of utilisation of exclusive by nursing mothers in llorin South Local Government Area of Kwara State. Research Questions 1. Does the age of the mother influence their knowledge and utilization of exclusive? 2. Does mothers occupation affect the habit of nursing mothers? 3. Does educational background influence exclusive of their babies? 4. Does marital status influence the utilization of exclusive? 5. Does settlement pattern of mothers influence utilization of exclusive? 6. Does religion affiliation influence the exclusive utilization of? Research Hypotheses 1: There is no significant difference in the age of mothers and their utilization of exclusive. 2: There is no significant different in occupation of mothers and utilization of exclusive. 3: There is no significant difference in mothers educational background and utilization of exclusive. 4: There is no significant difference in marital status and utilization of exclusive. 5: There is no significant difference in mothers settlement pattern and utilization of exclusive. 6: There is no significant difference in religion affiliation of mothes and the utilization of exclusive.

3 Methodology and Procedure The descriptive research method was used to carry out this research. The method was used on the representatives of the target population to describe the situation. The sample selected for the study were from various vocation such as civil service, trading and artisans. The study was conducted by selecting the first twenty mothers to arrive at the ten clinic centres on an infant welfare day so as to reduce the number of the respondents to a manageable size of mothers used. The main instrument use is a structured questionnaire that consists of closed and open ended questions developed in a way to elicit the relevant information required to lest the hypotheses set for the study. The reliability coefficient of 0.85r was obtained. Results and Discussion A total of two hundred questionnaire were distributed, collected and analysed. The table of analysis showed the result of the finding and interpretation ; follows: Table 1: Shows the distributions of personal data Age (in years) Freguency Percentage 18-27years 28-33years 34-43years 44 years and above % 42.5% 22.5% 16.5% 100% Marital Status Freguency Percentage Signe mother Married mother Divorced mother % 70.5% 10.5% 100.5% Educational Status Freguency Percentage Primay school Secondary school Tertiary Arabic school None % 38.5% 14.5% 08.5% 07.5% 100%

4 Occupation Freguency Percentage Teaching Trading Civil servant Artisan % 65.0% 10.0% 10.0% 100% Religion Frequency Percentage Islam % Christianity % Traditional religion % 100% Table 1 shows that the personal characteristics of the respondents. The age of ranges from 18-27years 37 (18.5%) 28-33years, 85(42.5%), 34-43years 45(22.5%) 44years and above 33(16.5%). wever the marital status of the respondents shows that 40(20%)) were single mothers 140(70%) were married mother, while 20(10%) are divorced mothers. On educational background of the respondents 63(31.5%) had primary school certificate 77 (38.5) had secondary school certificate, 28(14%) had higher, certificate, 17(8.5%) had Arabic school while 15(7.5%) had no any certificate. The nursing mothers were equally represented by nursing mothers from different occupations such as teachers 30( 15%). traders 130(65%), civil servant 20( 10%) and artisan 20(40%) while 120(60%) are Muslims, 52(26%) are Christians and 20(10%) traditional religion. 1 lo I: There is no significant difference in the age of mothers and their utilization of exclusive breast feeding. Table 2: Shows the x 2 result on the age of the mothers and their utilization of exclusive S/N Item A D Df Ca. X 2 Crit. 1. Baby mother or under aged mothers breastfeed their chidren for a shorter length of time Married educated mother gives excusive Mothers that are well educated on through antenatal care gives excusive All mothers gives to their children equally P<0.05

5 , was because the calculated x 2 of is greater than the critical value of 7.82 which connotes that the age of the mothers have significant influence on their utilization of exclusive in the area under study. 2. mothers occupation will not significantly influence the exclusive of their children. Table 3: Shows the x 2 result on mothers occupation and exclusive. S/N Item A D Df Ca. X 2 Crit. 5. Civi servant mothers breastfeed their babies onger than other women in other occupation Full time house wives gives excusive since they are not engage with any serious vocation Working cass mother uses artifica methods of their babies as a resut of their work Traders usually have enough time to give excusive P<0.05 Table 3 showing the calculated chi-square value of which was greater than the table value x 2 of 7.82 at a degree of 3 at 0.05 alpha level of significance. The significance differences existed, therefore the hypothesis was. This implies that occupation of the respondents have significance influence on mothers utilization of exclusive. 3: Mothers educational background will not significantly influence exclusive.

6 Table 4: Shows the X 2 result on mothers educational background and excusive S/N Item A D Df Ca. X 2 Crit. 9. Illiterate mothers breastfeed their babies than educated women Babies of educated mothers are always stronger and healthy than babies of illlliterate mothers Education is required in pratice of excusive Happiy maiired mothers whole heartedly utilizes excusive Educated mothers have faith in practice of excusive that their illlliterate counterparts P<0.05 Table 4 shows the calculated chi-square value of which was greater than the table x : value of 7.82 at a degree of freedom of 0.05 alpha level of significance. The significance differences existed, therefore the hypothesis was. This means that mothers educational background have significant influence on mothers utilization of exclusive. 4 : Marital status of the mothers will not significantly influence the exclusive of infants.

7 Table 5: Shows x 2 result of marital status of mothers and it influence on exclusive of infants S/N Item A D Df Ca. X 2 Crit. 13. Single mothers does not devote time to excusive Divorced mothers are usually committed to excusive of their children their babies as a resut of their work Happiy maiired mothers whole heartedly utilizes excusive Singe mothers are mostly underage Table 5 shows the calculated chi-square value of which was greater than the table value of 7.82 at 3 degree of freedom at 0.05 alpha level of significance. The significance difference existed, therefore the hypothesis is. This means that the marital status of mothers, married, singles, and divorce and even single young mothers have significant influence on their exclusive utilization of. : Religion affiliation of the mothers will not significantly influence the exclusive of their children. Table 6: Showing the x 2 result on religion affiliation and exclusive S/N Item A D Df Ca. X 2 Crit. 17. Traditioanlist are usually committed to excusive than other religions affinities Mother s that are very reigious don t always have time to give exclusive breastfeed to their babies All religious support excusive

8 Table 6 shows the calculated chi-square value of which was greater than the table value of 5.99 at 2 degree of freedom at 0.05 alpha level of.significance. The significance difference existed, therefore the hypothesis is. This means that the religion affiliation, that is, Muslim, Christianity or traditional religion have significant influence on their exclusive utilization of. 6 : Settlement pattern of the mothers will not significantly influence the exclusive of their children. Table 7: Showing the x 2 result on settlement pattern and exclusive S/N Item A D Df Ca. X 2 Crit. 20. Availability of day care services in urban areas discourages the practices of excusive Mother from urban areas do support excusive breatsfeeding Rural mothers are not exposed to enough knowledge about excusive Urban dewing mothers are more reluctant in the practice of excusive due to stress of work Table 7 is showing the calculate chi-square value of which is greater than the table value ot'7.82 at a degree of 3 at 0.05 alpha level of significance. The significance difference existed, therefore the hypothesis is. This implies that mothers settlement pattern influence the utilization of exclusive. Discussion of Findings After careful analysis of the data collected the following findings were obtained. Underaged mothers seldom have less time to utilize exclusive unlike matured mothers who appreciates the cordiality that exists between mother and infants as a result of exclusive practices. This was supported by Spitz (5) who confirmed that babies need intimate involvement with other human beings for their immediate survival as well as for their long term emotional health. It is generally believed that the first twelve hours after birth is probably the critical period in which bonding lakes place in humans. It was revealed that the occupation of the mothers determines to a large extent the number of time the mother spends with the baby and how the baby feeds Guthie (0) supported the findings and said that working class mothers tend to practice mixed feeding for longer period of time. Also survey conducted in Malaysia found that 23% of working class women who were bottle feeding their infants would have preferred if they had been offered leave without pay. while 39% would have considered exclusive if their working hours could be re-arranged (Guthie, 0). Educational background of mothers was found to have much significance because the

9 result shows that educated women tends to follow the antenatal instructions to the letter, thereby changing their altitudes towards utilization of exclusive. The result further inducted that some mothers do not appreciates the benefit of health workers on the information dissemination on exclusive. because they don't usually attend ante-natal clinics when they are pregnant or infants welfare clinics when they are their infants. Beimel (19W) affirmed that single mothers, most of whom are underage are usually been assisted by either their mothers or neighbours in caring for their babies and this affects habit. Therefore marital status goes long way in the utilization of exclusive. The result on religion affiliation towards utilization of exclusive was, '['his is indicated in hypothesis 5, table o. A significance difference existed and the hypothesis is therefore. The finding of this research study was in line with Esan (1999) who conformed that religious women don't usually have enough time to breastfeed their infant, although the religion is not against exclusive. The result also revealed that mothers in urban areas do not usually have enough time to spend with their infant, they drop their infant at day care centres or with their mothers or neighbours (Bonnet. 1999). Conclusion The study showed that most of the respondents are making use of exclusive and that those that are not utilizing it do so as a result of limited awareness as to the benefits of exclusive to both mother and child. Most of the women also agreed that exclusive is good but their nature of job would not allow them to make a maximum utilization of it. It was generally accepted by the respondents that is ideal, safe and nutritious for the child. Recommendations The following recommendations were made based on the findings and conclusion of this study. 1. All stakeholders such as health workers, parents, teachers and communitybased organization should endeavour to increase and intensify campaigns and educative activities so as to encourage the practice of exclusive among nursing mothers. 2. Provisions should be made by employers of labour to grant waivers to nursing mothers working under them to have time to breastfeed their infants, government can assist by the enactment of an act of parliament to support it. 3. Enlightenment campaigns should be encouraged and intensified by health workers with emphasis on the benefits of exclusive for both pregnant mothers and nursing mothers that arc attending their clinics so as to raise their awareness level as it affects infants feedings on exclusive.

10 REFERENCES Bennet, M.C. (1999): infant feeding practice and their relationship with diarrhea and other diseases in uscar (Lima) peru. Journal of paediatrics, 83, Esan, D.K. (1999): A textbook for midwives in the tropics, London: African University press in Asso with Edward Arnold. Guthie, G. C. (0): The know-how of infant cure London: American University Press. Jeliiffe, D. B. (1985): Nutrition in Early childhood. London: Hillbook Yannet Ltd. Spitz, R. (5): "spitism" An inquiry into the genesis of psychiatric conditions in early childhood psychoanal study child, 1,53 Vanghuist, F. K. (0): Obstetrics by ten teachers (13"' Ed.) London: Edward Arnold Publishers Ltd. World Health Organization (1990): Protecting, promoting and supporting : The special role of maternity service. Geneva, Switzerland Wicklcs, J. G. (1993): A brief history of infant feeding (18 th & 19"' editions). World Health Organization on Monograph series, Geneva, Switzerland.

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