Assessment of breastfeeding practices of working mothers in Ilaro, Ogun State

Abstract

Background: Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is important for optimal growth and development of infant. However, increase in women involvement in labor sector may pose a great barrier to this. Thus, this study assessed the breastfeeding practices of working mothers in Ilaro.

Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 200 working mothers selected from Ilaro community using multistage sampling. Semi-structured and self-administered questionnaire was used to elicit data on socio demographic and economic characteristics, job description, belief on breastfeeding and breastfeeding practices of the respondents. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25.0.

Result: More than half (59.0%) of the respondents were employed in private organizations and 41.0% were civil servants. Majority (72%) of the respondents work between 8am- 4pm daily. Nearly all the respondents (93.0%) breastfed their babies their infant from birth, 76.5% gave colostrum and 50% do breast feed their baby only when demanded. Four out of five breastfeed their infant during the working hour while 5.5% and 10.5% expressed their breast milk and gave infant formula respectively during the working hour. More than half (63%) of the respondents had good breastfeeding practices while 23% and 13% were rated fair and poor respectively. Significant associated (p< 0.05) was observed between respondent's breastfeeding practices and some socio demographic characteristics, job description and
belief on breast feeding practices.

Conclusion: Good breastfeeding practices were observed among the study population and this was significantly associated with factors like age, estimated monthly income, place of work and some belief on breastfeeding.