Effectiveness of Exclusive Breastfeeding in the Development of Under 5 Children
CHAPTER ONE
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The general objective of this study is an assessment of the effectiveness of exclusive breastfeeding in the development of under 5 children in Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, Anambra state. Specifically, the study seeks to;
- Identify types of breastfeeding methods practiced by nursing mothers in Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, Anambra state.
- Determine the mothers’ knowledge of effects of exclusive breastfeeding on under-five development in Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, Anambra state.
- Identify challenges that mothers face in the practice of exclusive breastfeeding for under-five development in Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, Anambra state.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
CONCEPTUAL REVIEW
Hornby (2015) believes that, because of its balanced nature, which contains carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals and antibodies that protect the baby’s body, breast milk is a completely natural food. It is also cheap, clean, safe and easy to digest. Breast milk is the only food that is fully adapted to the physiology of human babies. Optimal breastfeeding is defined as the beginning of breastfeeding immediately after birth, exclusive breastfeeding to 6 months old infants, and continued feeding with the introduction of appropriate complementary foods at the age of two years or more. The World Health Organization defines exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) as the source of breast milk or nurse or for breast milk and no other liquid or solid substance except drops or syrup with vitamins, mineral supplements or medicines. “According to Dennis (2013), exclusive breastfeeding differs from predominant breastfeeding (PBF), where mother’s milk is the primary food source for babies, but babies also receive other infants such as water, tea, juices, saline solutions for oral rehydration or ritual fluids Definitions in the literature distinguish between exclusive breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding, since the physiological effects on the mother and the child differ with the expression of milk and feeding of milk expressed by direct breastfeeding.
Exclusive breastfeeding is the most effective public health intervention in the world to ensure children’s survival. While breastfeeding is physiologically normal for optimal health results, early onset and exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months are optimal and the resulting child due to the child’s mother’s survival, growth, development and health. Human milk generally provides all the nutritional needs for infants less than 6 months old, about half their energy needs from 6 to 12 months, and about one-third during the child’s second year of life. Stern (2013) found that when the mothers are adequately nourished, breast milk contains almost all the water, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats, proteins, digestive enzymes and hormones that a developing child needs.
If the mother’s diet is sufficient, the milk produced is nutritious and more and more milk is produced. Breastfeeding is one of the oldest forms of infant feeding. This is the cheapest and easiest way to feed babies and to get important nutrients for growth and body metabolism (Bello, 2011). Breastfeeding is a natural act and a learned behavior. It is inherently dynamic and represents a nutritional and biological interaction between mother and offspring that interacts with each other. It is the act by which all mammals feed their babies. WHO (2013) has identified breastfeeding as an unprecedented way to provide ideal food for the healthy growth and development of babies. Most mothers felt that the reasons for not breastfeeding were outside their decision and control, such as: B. Milk, which are not appropriate for the baby. Other women suggested less passive reasons for not breastfeeding.
CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY
RESEARCH DESIGN
This study used a quantitative descriptive design to gather information about the effectiveness of exclusive breastfeeding in the development of under 5 children in Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, Anambra state.
RESEARCH SETTING
The setting for this study is Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital. Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital has a working capacity of 500 staff comprising of Doctors, Nurse-midwives, Physiotherapists, Radiologist and non-medical staff. The hospital is made up of sub-units such as medical wards, surgical wards, paediatric unit outpatient department, accident and emergency (casualty), theatre, obstetrics and gynaecology units and psychiatric unit. The department of nursing science is integrated with a 250 bedded Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospitals so that nursing education, service and research are closely combined with quality patient/client care.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION
This research was carried out to assess the role of exclusive breastfeeding in the development of under-five children in Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, Anambra state. This chapter presents the data analysis based on the data obtained from the distribution of the questionnaire. The researcher made use of 200 respondents as part f its sample size, the response rate recorded was 100%.
The demographic variables of the respondents considered to be important in the study were the age, marital status, occupation, number of children and educational qualification of the respondents. Table 4.2 indicated that 15.3% of the respondents were between the ages of 18 – 20 years; respondents within 21 – 25 years were 43.2%. 26 – 30 years were 34%, while the lowest age range was 31 – 35 and 36 – 40, with 3.5% and 3.0% respectively. This distribution implies that most respondent were between 21-30years. However all groups within the study area were represented in the study and were also within the age range where they could give valid opinion on the variables investigation in the study. Also, data revealed that 84.7% of the respondents were married mothers while 15. 3% were single mothers. By this distribution, most of respondents were married women.
CHAPTER FIVE
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATON
DISCUSSION
The main objective of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of exclusive breastfeeding in the development of under 5 children in Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital in Anambra state. In order to achieve this major objective, three research objectives were stated and analyzed using frequencies, mean, and percentages to show the respondents responses on the related items. From the result, of the analyzed data collected using questionnaires, the findings were revealed thus;
Based on specific objective one, which was to identify types of breastfeeding practiced by nursing mothers with their under-five children in MUTH, Anambra state, findings reveled that, there are two major types of breastfeeding practiced by nursing mothers in Kaduna state. This is evident in Table 4.2; where exclusive breastfeeding has the highest mean response of 2.50, as compared to mixed feeding with mean of 1.50. Therefore it can be said that nursing mothers were familiar and knowledgeable to the use of exclusive breastfeeding practices in nursing their children this is in line with, Hassan (2016) who stated that breastfeeding is the only completely safe protective and nutritious way to give a child the best start in life.
On objective two, the study also revealed the mothers’ knowledge of effects of exclusive breastfeeding on under-five development in Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital in Anambra state. Details of this research question two, objective two, was shown in Table 4.3. The finding agreed with the writing of the Odimegwu (2012), who stated that when a baby receives the first milk (colostrum), which gives protection against infection, it promotes the health of both mother and child. This is revealed in item 3 with mean of 3.34, and item 5 with mean of 3.32. Brown (2016) further stated that malnourished mother can maintain growth of infants up to four and six months of age by exclusive breastfeeding, Browns‟ opinion was also revealed in item 6 with mean of 3.39.
On the third objectives (research question three),which examined the challenges that mothers face in the practice of exclusive breastfeeding for under-five development. Findings revealed that the socio economic status of nursing mothers on exclusive breastfeeding adversely affect nursing mothers breastfeeding practices. This was revealed in Table 4.4, as non supportive work place/home environment (75.8%), time constraints (77.9%), low educational and awareness level of the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding (79.1%), stress (85.1%), and cost of maintaining healthy diet for the mother (90.3%).
CONCLUSION
The focus of this study was on the effectiveness of exclusive breastfeeding in the development of under 5 children in Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, Anambra state. In view of the major findings, it can be concluded that, there were indeed two major common methods of breastfeeding practices by the mother with child. However, exclusive breastfeeding was found to be the most prominent and acceptable method of breastfeeding as compared to mixed feeding practices. Mothers who were exclusively breastfeeding their children, were less likely to become pregnant again during this period. Exclusive breastfeeding helped to stop maternal bleeding after delivery and helps to develop the emotional bond between mother and child. Exclusive breastfeeding method was discovered to promote the health of both mother and child; and to boost the immune system of the child. The study also revealed that the knowledge on the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding among nursing mothers influence mothers attitude on exclusive breastfeeding adoption and practices.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The following recommendations were made based on the findings if the study
- Nursing mothers attending antenatal and child care services should be educated by nurses, midwives and other health care personnel on the need for practicing exclusive breastfeeding as it contains complex nutritional fluid and hormones for the child’s development, which many cannot be included in mixed feeding practices or alternative methods.
- Nursing mothers should be encouraged by childcare centres on the adjustment of breastfeeding patterns to suit their work schedule and eliminate other constraints faced during exclusive breastfeeding as it helps to reduce the risk of chronic conditions and infections associated with alternative feeding practices.
- Health agents and stakeholders should organize frequent seminars and workshops for educated mothers to create awareness and practices of exclusive breastfeeding despite their schedules and beliefs. Also, this should be extended to the community level to include family and partners’ support in the exclusive breastfeeding agenda.
REFERENCES
- Ada, H.L. (2012). Socio-economic correlates of Breastfeeding among Women using Nursing Mothers in Agenebode. Unpublished Masters‟ Thesis, University of Benin, Benin City.
- Adamu, G.D. (2013). The knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Breastfeeding among Mothers of Children under 0-2 years in Kaduna state. Unpublished Masters Thesis, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
- Ameh, H.T. (2010). Child Care and Development. New York: JB Liffin Cott Company. American Academy of Pediatrics, (2005) Committee on Pediatrics Aids, Human Milk, Breastfeeding and transmission of Human immunodeficiency virus. United State Journal of pediatrics, 4(7):145-167
- Andrew, M.M (2016). Breastfeeding reduces material lower body fat. Journal of American Medical Diet Association.93 (4):429 – 33
- Azubuike, J.C. & Nkanginieme, K.E (2010). Pediatrics and Child Health in a Tropical Region African Educational Services, Nigerian Journal of Health. 4(3): 155 – 160
