Abstract
This study investigates factors that influence exclusive breastfeeding practice. Focus group discussions involving 60 nursing mothers from selected rural areas of Enugu State, Nigeria, was adopted. Thematic analysis was adopted in analyzing data collected. Findings show that nursing mothers in the study area are yet to fully accept the 6 months’ practice of exclusive breastfeeding. Issues relating to culture, economic hardship, and support networks were revealed to exercise gross influence on practice of exclusive breastfeeding. The study concluded that professional support from social workers is very vital to achieving conformity to the practice. This can be done through awareness creation that would accommodate support networks, while adopting exclusive breastfeeding campaign models that have proven successful in other African nations.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 140-148 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Social Work in Public Health |
| Volume | 33 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Early online date | 27 Dec 2017 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 17 Feb 2018 |
Keywords
- Exclusive breastfeeding
- nursing mothers
- rural areas
- support networks
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Health(social science)
- Health Policy
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
