Factors Associated with Exclusive Breastfeeding Practices in the First Six Months: A Case of Mulungushi Rural Health Centre, Mumbwa District

Banda Mathews Spider and Choongo Mulungu
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Banda Mathews Spider: University of Zambia/Ministry of Health – Mumbwa District Health Office
Choongo Mulungu: University of Lusaka/Ministry of Health – Lusaka District Health Office

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 2024, vol. 8, issue 5, 360-375

Abstract: Exclusive Breast Feeding (EBF), the best feeding practice for infants from birth to six (6) months, has faced challenges of adherence, exposing infants to infections such as diarrhea, despite information on its importance being given to mothers. The main objective of this study was to assess factors associated with inadequate exclusive breastfeeding practices towards children in the first 6 months, particularly at Mulungushi Rural Health Centre in Mumbwa District. A descriptive cross-sectional study involving 192 breast-feeding mothers selected using systematic sampling method was conducted in Mumbwa. The respondents were interviewed using a structured questionnaire at study sites. The study found that the prevalence of exclusive breast-feeding practice was at 47%. The factors that were found to be statistically significant to exclusive breastfeeding were age of infant, educational level, parity, occupation of the mother, number of meals mothers ate per day, child spacing and support breastfeeding mothers received. The study revealed that mothers found it difficult to practice Exclusive Breastfeeding because of the amount of work at home, some feared to transmit the HIV to their babies, some because of the business trips, those in employment stated that the conditions at work were not very conducive for breastfeeding and spouses found it difficult to help with house chores because culturally it was a woman’s work. Despite the respondents having adequate knowledge about the importance of EBF, the practice was still below what WHO recommendation of (60%), thus there was still need to strengthen the practice in the study area through education of spouses, family and the community on infant feeding for them to support breastfeeding mothers. Government to develop a policy to allow for time for working breastfeeding mothers to be given time to breastfeed their babies in the first 6 months at work.

Date: 2024
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