Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Breastfeeding among mothers of children six months to three years seen at a tertiary children hospital in Freetown

Abstract

Introduction Severe acute malnutrition accounts for a significant proportion of admission into the tertiary children’s hospital in Freetown. However, adequate breastfeeding is supposed to protect against severe malnutrition. Against this background, the knowledge, attitude and practice of mothers of children admitted into the hospital, were assed to determine the current state of breastfeeding in Sierra Leone.

Methods: A structured questionnaire specifically designed and pretested was used to gather information on the knowledge, attitude and practice of breastfeeding of mothers with children aged 3 years and below admitted into ODCH between January and April 2021.

Result: Of the 206 mothers studied, 168 (81.6%) were aged 18 to 35 years, 145 (70.4%) married. Thirty-five (17%) respondents had inadequate knowledge, while 61 (29.6%) had poor attitude and 115 (55.8%) poor practice. Factors associated with poor breastfeeding practice include age below 18 years, unmarried mothers and delivery by Caesarian section. Exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months was associated with being married (ρ-0.002). Initiation of breast feeding within 1 hour was associated with being married (ρ-0.001) and vaginal delivery (ρ-0.005) while prelacteal feeding was associated with preterm delivery (ρ-0.020).

Conclusion: Despite a high prevalence of adequate knowledge among mothers of children presenting in the facility, the practice of breast feeding remain poor. There is need to provide support to mothers to appropriately carry out good breast feeding practices especially for younger and unmarried mothers and those who deliver via ceasarean section.