An Investigation of Child Care Stress Among Nursing Mothers in Anambra State
Chapter One
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The primary objective of the study is as follows
- To examine the causes of childcare stress among nursing mothers in Anambra state.
- To evaluate the effect of childcare stress among nursing mothers in Anambra state.
- To find out the challenges of child care among Anambra state nursing mothers.
- To find out the solution to childcare stress among nursing mothers in Anambra state.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
INTRODUCTION
Our focus in this chapter is to critically examine relevant literatures that would assist in explaining the research problem and furthermore recognize the efforts of scholars who had previously contributed immensely to similar research. The chapter intends to deepen the understanding of the study and close the perceived gaps.
Precisely, the chapter will be considered in three sub-headings:
- Conceptual Framework
- Theoretical Framework and
- Empirical Review
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
Concept of Nursing or Breastfeeding
The mainstay of infants’ diet in every culture from time immemorial had been breast milk. It is a postnatal activity of paramount importance and interest to diverse professionals in pediatrics, nursing endocrinology, psychology as well as sociology and anthropology (Uwakwe, 1996). With time, however, the trend began to
change as majority of mothers no longer breastfeed their babies as supposed. Unfortunately, therefore, breastfeeding has gone from the main source of food for infants to an uncomfortable less used practice (Wiese Erin, 2005). A critical assessment of this worrisome trend could be linked to the rising trend in civilization and the evolution of new cultural ideals (Eliot, 2003), by which breastfeeding has now been branded as old-fashioned and uncivilized. Besides the rising trend in civilization accounting for the decrease in breastfeeding rates, the effect of social perceptions (Bunik et al., 2006; Li et al., 2004; Raisler, 2000) as well as lack of education or
knowledge (Gibson, 2005; Dennis, 2002) has also tremendously contributed to many more women neglecting the breastfeeding practice. Ann and Richard (2001) unequivocally attributed this ugly development to poor emphasis on the benefits of breastfeeding and the popularity of synthetic baby formulations. Further limitations
to improved breastfeeding practices besides other prevailing myths include:
- Complacency, which may be one of the biggest threats to optimal infant feeding
- Widespread promotion of breast-milk substitutes
- Belief that infants need water in addition to breast milk
- The issue of breastfeeding and HIV transmission
- Lack of support for breastfeeding at home, in the community, in health care facilities and in workplaces
- (e.g., policies for maternity leave and worksite facilities for breastfeeding), linked to the perception that
- behaviour change is difficult or even impossible
- Lack of commitment and resources for behaviour change programmes needed to support optimum breastfeeding, and
- Poor understanding of the role of breastfeeding in advancing human and health rights (UNESCO, 2006,)
However, breastfeeding remains the best source of infant nutrition and immunologic protection, which also provides remarkable health benefits to mothers (Victora et al., 2016; AAP, 2012; Setegn et al., 2012; WHO, 2011). Similarly, the World Health Organization (2001; 2009) hints that exclusive breastfeeding is the single most cost-effective intervention to reduce infant mortality in developing countries. The 1990 Innocenti Declaration on the Protection, Promotion and Support of Breastfeeding maintain that breastfeeding alone provides the ideal nourishment for infants for the first six months of life because it contains all the water, nutrients, antibodies and other factors an infant needs in order to thrive. Thus, it has profound impact on a child’s survival, health, nutrition and development. It is an exceptional means of providing ideal food for the healthy growth and development of infants. Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has hinted that besides contributing to the mutual bonding between mothers and babies, breastfeeding is essentially important to mothers’ and infants’ health. A UNICEF (2015) document emphasized that the interaction between the mother and child during breastfeeding has positive effects for life for the child, in terms of stimulation, behaviour, speech, sense of well being and security and how the child relates to other people. It also lowers the risk of chronic conditions later in life, such as obesity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, childhood asthma and childhood leukaemias; and enables infants do better on intelligence and behaviour tests into adulthood than formula-fed babies. Breastfeeding also contributes to maternal health immediately after the delivery because it helps reduce the risk of post-partum haemorrhage.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitute of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
This study was carried out on child care stress among nursing mothers in Anambra State. Hence, the population of this study comprises of nursing mothers in Anambra State.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of two hundred and sixty seven (267) questionnaires were received from respondents of which 259 were validated.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
Introduction
This chapter summarizes the findings on child care stress among nursing mothers in Anambra State. The chapter consists of summary of the study, conclusions, and recommendations.
Summary of the Study
In this study, our focus was on child care stress among nursing mothers in Anambra State. The study is was specifically carried out to assess the causes of child care stress among nursing mothers in Anambra state, assess the effect of child care stress among nursing mothers in Anambra state, assess the challenges of child care among Anambra state nursing mothers, and find out solution to child care stress among nursing mothers in Anambra state.
The study adopted the survey research design and randomly enrolled participants in the study. A total of 260 responses were validated from the enrolled participants where all respondent are nursing mothers who visited antenatal clinics in the selected hospitals in Benue State.
Conclusions
Based on the findings of this study, the researcher concluded that;
- The causes of child care stress among nursing mothers in Anambra state include:
- Inability to breastfeed children exclusively,
- Child illness,
- Inadequate time for breastfeeding and
- Inadequate time to care for the child
- the effect of child care stress among nursing mothers in Anambra state include:
- Reduces milk supply,
- Leads to anxiety,
- Incessant sickness,
- Emotional trauma and
- Leads to depression
- The challenges of child care among Anambra state nursing mothers include:
- Sore nipples,
- Nursing strike,
- Infection and
- Cluster feeding and growth spurts
- The solution to child care stress among nursing mothers in Anambra state include:
- Adequate support,
- Adequate help,
- Timely information and
- Adequate rest
Recommendations
Based on the findings of the study, the following recommendations are proffered.
- Fathers and other family members (such as mothers/mothers- in-law) should provide important social support for mothers with infants, so it is recom- mended that they are taught the necessary aspects of childcare to allow them to be more effective in reducing the stress of the mothers and increase the well-being of the infants.
- Health professionals evaluate the mothers’ sleep quality as soon as possible after preterm infants are discharged from the hospital. Ensuring that the mothers of preterm infants have enough sleep allows for a more effective support system and improves the quality of life of their families.
- 3. Facilities such as crèche should be provided by various governments and private organization at work place and in higher institution of learning, to enable nursing mothers who are working or studying continue breastfeeding without jeopardizing their work or study. Employers should also be encouraged to give nursing mothers extra break time to be able to perform this very important act of breastfeeding.
REFERENCES
- Aborigo et al., 2012. Infant nutrition in the first 7 days of life in rural northern Nigeria. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2012; 12:76
- Aidam, B.A., Perez- Escamilla, R., Lartey, A. and Aidam, J., 2005. Factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding in Accra. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2005: 59, 789-796
- Alemayehu, T., Haidar, J. and Habte, D., 2009. Determinants of exclusive breastfeeding practices in Ethiopia. Ethiopia. Journal of Health Dev. 23 (1)
- American Academy of Pediatrics., 2012. Breastfeeding and the use of human milk. Pediatrics 129: e827
- Arora, S., Mcjunkin, C., Wehrer, J. and Kuhn, P., 2000. Major factors influencing breastfeeding rates: mother’s perception of fathers attitude and milk supply. Pediatrics 10: e67
- Arts, M. et al., 2010. Knowledge, beliefs, and practices regarding exclusive breastfeeding of infants younger than 6 months in Mozambique: a qualitative study. Journal of Human Lactation 2011 27:25
- Aubel, J., 2006. Grandmothers promote maternal and child health: the role of indigenous knowledge system managers. The grandmother project publication. Available at http://www.grandmotherproject.org/wp-content/uploads/iknt89Download-the-Article.pdf (accessed 23 -02-2013
