Assessment Of Psychosocial Factors Limiting Exclusive Breastfeeding Practices Among Young Mothers In Rural Areas In Ondo, Ondo State

Medical and Health Science Project and Seminar Material

Abstract

The study assessed the psychosocial factors limiting exclusive breastfeeding practices among young mothers in rural areas of Ondo, Ondo State. The study is was specifically set to establish the benefit of exclusive breastfeeding. discuss the ideal exclusive breastfeeding practices, and investigate the psychosocial factors limiting exclusive breastfeeding practices among young mothers in rural areas In Ondo. Survey research design was adopted in the study in order to assess the opinions of the selected respondents with the use of questionnaire. Data obtained were analyzed using frequency tables, while hypotheses were tested using Chi Square statistical tool. The findings of the study showed that psychosocial factors significantly affects the exclusive breastfeeding practices of young mothers in rural areas. Based on the findings, it was recommended that the healthcare system should establish interventions designed to address these factors as such interventions may result in better exclusive breastfeeding outcomes, improving the long-term health outcomes of the population.

Table of Content

Title Page
Certification
Dedication
Acknowledgement
Table of Content
List of Tables
Abstract

Chapter One:

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study
1.2 Statement of the Problem
1.3 Objective of the Study
1.4 Research Questions
1.5 Research Hypothesis
1.6 Significance of the Study
1.7 Scope of the Study
1.8 Limitation of the Study
1.9 Definition of Terms
1.10 Organisations of the Study

Chapter Two:

Review of Literature

2.1 Conceptual Framework
2.2 Theoretical Framework
2.3 Empirical Review

Chapter Three:

Research Methodology

3.1 Research Design
3.2 Population of the Study
3.3 Sample Size Determination
3.4 Sample Size Selection Technique and Procedure
3.5 Research Instrument and Administration
3.6 Method of Data Collection
3.7 Method of Data Analysis
3.8 Validity of the Study
3.9 Reliability of the Study
3.10 Ethical Consideration

Chapter Four:

Data Presentation and Analysis

4.1 Data Presentation
4.2 Analysis of Data
4.3 Answering Research Questions
4.4 Test of Hypotheses

Chapter Five:

Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation

5.1 Summary
5.2 Conclusion
5.3 Recommendation
References
APPENDIX
QUESTIONNAIRE

Chapter One

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that for optimal health and development, all infants worldwide should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life (WHO, 2011). Exclusive breastfeeding is defined as the consumption of breast milk only (including expressed milk and medicines) and excludes infant formula, non-human milk, water or water-based drinks, tea or fruit juice (WHO, 2008). Exclusive breastfeeding provides the infant with all of the nutrients required for optimal growth and development during this period and has significant benefits for mother, infant and society (Kramer & Kakuma, 2002; Oddy et al., 2002; Cattaneo et al., 2006). For infants, breast milk provides important advantages for physical, neurological and cognitive development, as well as the protection from allergies, infectious and non-communicable diseases (Oddy et al., 2002; Horta et al., 2007; Ip et al., 2007; Huh et al., 2011). Maternal benefits of breastfeeding include reduced postpartum bleeding, assisted post-birth weight loss (Kramer & Kakuma, 2002) and protection against breast and ovarian cancers (Ip et al., 2007). Breastfeeding reduces the financial cost of infant feeding on both families and societies and reduces the burden of disease associated with some non-communicable childhood diseases (Cattaneo et al., 2006). When compared to breastfeeding in general, exclusive breastfeeding has been associated with increased health outcomes (Kramer & Kakuma, 2002). Studies have shown that the protective effects of breast milk are enhanced with a longer duration of exclusive breastfeeding (Kramer & Kakuma, 2002; Chantry et al., 2006) and may provide further protection against diseases such as childhood obesity (Gillman et al., 2008; Huh et al., 2011) and maternal diabetes (Stuebe et al., 2005).

Despite these well-documented benefits of exclusive breastfeeding, very few women worldwide are meeting the World Health Organization’s recommendation of exclusive breastfeeding to six months postpartum. Hence, assessing the factors which influences women practices of exclusive breast feeding has been the interest of many researchers. There is currently a wealth of literature describing the socio-demographic predictors of the initiation and duration of breastfeeding (O’Brien et al., 2008; O’Brien et al., 2009; Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2011). In contrast, much less is known about the influence of psychosocial factors on exclusive breastfeeding. However, psychosocial factors such as depression and anxiety have previously been linked to early cessation of breastfeeding (Henderson et al., 2003; Akman et al., 2008). In view of the above, this study is most interested and focused on psychosocial factors limiting exclusive breastfeeding practices among young mothers in rural areas.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Breastfeeding is widely recognized as the ideal form of infant feeding for optimal outcomes for both infant and mother. Breast milk is the optimal source of nutrition for the growth and development of an infant (Kramer & Kakuma, 2002; WHO, 2011). Breast milk provides infants under six months of age with all of their energy and nutrient requirements, and provides important advantages, for physical, neurological and cognitive development as well as protection from infectious diseases and allergies (Oddy et al., 2002). Babies who are not breastfed have an increased risk or morbidity and mortality from respiratory tract infections, atopic dermatitis, childhood asthma, type II diabetes, obesity and sudden infant death syndrome (Horta et al., 2007; Ip et al., 2007). Research suggests the health benefits of breastfeeding in general are enhanced with a longer duration and intensity of breastfeeding and it is now recognized that exclusive breastfeeding (the consumption of breast milk only) from birth to six months of age is associated with the best outcomes for both baby and mother (Kramer & Kakuma, 2002; WHO, 2011).

The World Health Organization (WHO, 2011) currently recommends that all infants worldwide are exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life, with continued breastfeeding up to two years of age. However, very few women worldwide meet this recommendation. While initiation rates of exclusive breastfeeding are as high as 96 percent in developed countries such as Australia (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare; AIHW, 2011), this rate dramatically declines in the first few weeks postpartum to only 15 percent of infants being exclusively breastfed at five months of age (AIHW, 2011) and around nine percent at six months (Australian Institute of Family Studies; AIFS, 2008; Forster et al., 2004). These rates are fairly consistent worldwide, with less than 36 percent of infants being exclusively breastfed at any point less than six months of age (UNICEF, 2011).

There is a substantial amount of literature describing the socio-demographic predictors of the initiation and duration of breastfeeding (O’Brien et al., 2008; O’Brien et al., 2009; AIHW, 2011). The literature consistently shows that maternal age, socio-economic status, level of education, marital status and location are associated with breastfeeding initiation and duration. These demographic factors have not only been widely researched, they are also resistant to change. A recent study showed that psychosocial factors were more predictive of exclusive breastfeeding duration than demographic factors combined (O’Brien et al., 2008).

Given the proportion of women who are not meeting the WHO global recommendation of exclusive breastfeeding to six months, there is very limited research examining psychosocial predictors of exclusive breastfeeding duration. Hence it is paramount to assess the psychosocial factors limiting exclusive breastfeeding practices, specifically among young mothers in rural areas.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The major of this study is to critically assess the psychosocial factors limiting exclusive breastfeeding practices among young mothers in rural areas of Nigeria.

By extension, this study will specifically;

Establish the benefit of exclusive breastfeeding.
Discuss the ideal exclusive breastfeeding practices.
Investigate the psychosocial factors limiting exclusive breastfeeding practices among young mothers in rural areas In Ondo.

1.4 Research Question

The study will be guided by the following questions;

Does postnatal depression significantly affect exclusive breastfeeding practices among young mothers in rural areas?
Does anxiety significantly affect exclusive breastfeeding practices among young mothers in rural areas?
Does maternal intention significantly affect exclusive breastfeeding practices among young mothers in rural areas?
Does breastfeeding self-efficacy significantly affect exclusive breastfeeding practices among young mothers in rural areas?
Does comfort breastfeeding in public significantly affect exclusive breastfeeding practices among young mothers in rural areas?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

Ho: Psychosocial factors does not significantly affect the exclusive breastfeeding practices of young mothers in rural areas.
Ha: Psychosocial factors significantly affects the exclusive breastfeeding practices of young mothers in rural areas.

1.6 Significance of the Study

It is believed that the outcomes of the research will give a current perceptual database that will enlighten all of us and, more significantly, policymakers about the sentiments and perspectives of young mothers towards exclusive breastfeeding, so that relevant alternatives to encourage the practice of exclusive breastfeeding and its support may be established by Breastfeeding moms, helpers, and the Nigerian public.

In addition, academics and students will benefit from this study since it will act as a resource for future research and add to the body of knowledge.

1.7 Scope of the Study

This study is to critically assess the psychosocial factors limiting exclusive breastfeeding practices among young mothers in rural areas. The study will focus on postnatal depression, anxiety, maternal intention, breastfeeding self-efficacy, and comfort breastfeeding in public as psychosocial which can determine or influence exclusive breastfeeding practices among young mothers. Geographically, this study will be delimited to young mothers in Ondo, Ondo State.

1.8. Limitation of the Study

Like in every human endeavour, the researcher encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. Insufficient funds tend to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection, which is why the researcher resorted to a limited choice of sample size. More so, the researcher simultaneously engaged in this study with other academic work. As a result, the amount of time spent on research will be reduced.

1.9 Definition of Terms

Exclusive Breastfeeding

Exclusive breastfeeding means that the infant receives only breast milk

Knowledge

To have information in one’s mind as a result of experience or because you have learned or been told.

1.10 Organization of the Study

The study is categorized into five chapters. The first chapter presents the background of the study, statement of the problem, objective of the study, research questions and hypothesis, the significance of the study, scope/limitations of the study, and definition of terms. The chapter two covers the review of literature with emphasis on conceptual framework, theoretical framework, and empirical review. Likewise, the chapter three which is the research methodology, specifically covers the research design, population of the study, sample size determination, sample size, and selection technique and procedure, research instrument and administration, method of data collection, method of data analysis, validity and reliability of the study, and ethical consideration. The second to last chapter being the chapter four presents the data presentation and analysis, while the last chapter(chapter five) contains the summary, conclusion and recommendation.

Chapter Five

Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations:

5.1 Introduction

This chapter summarizes the findings on the psychosocial factors limiting exclusive breastfeeding practices among young mothers in rural areas ofOndo, Ondo State.The chapter consists of summary of the study, conclusions, and recommendations.

5.2 Summary of the Study

In this study, our focus was on the psychosocial factors limiting exclusive breastfeeding practices among young mothers in rural areas ofOndo, Ondo State. The study is was specifically carried out to establish the benefit of exclusive breastfeeding. discuss the ideal exclusive breastfeeding practices, and investigate the psychosocial factors limiting exclusive breastfeeding practices among young mothers in rural areas In Ondo.

The study adopted the survey research design and randomly enrolled participants in the study. A total of 50 responses were validated from the enrolled participants where all respondent areyoung mothers in rural areas ofOndo, Ondo State.

5.3 Conclusion

Considering the health benefits associated with exclusive breastfeeding for both mother and infant, and the low rate of women meeting these recommendations, there is very limited research that specifically examines psychosocial correlatesof exclusive breastfeeding to six months postpartum. However, this study sought to fill this gap. Hence, based on the findings of this study, it is therefore concluded that psychosocial factors such as postnatal depression, anxiety, maternal intention, breastfeeding self-efficacy, and comfort breastfeeding in public significantly affects exclusive breastfeeding practices among young mothers in rural areas.

5.4 Recommendation

Basedon the responses obtained, the researcher proffers the followingrecommendations:

Rural women should be taught on the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding
Advertisement of baby formulas should be followed with disclaimers that exclusive breast feeding is the best option for both mothers and infants.
Implementation of national health education campaigns that encourage women to breastfeed, especially during pregnancy by all primary health care nurses.
Enhancement and development of policies, rules, regulations, legislation and lows that appropriately promote as well supports breastfeeding in and outside work locations.
Psychosocial factors are amendable to change, hence the healthcare system should establish interventions designed to address these factors as such interventions may result in better exclusive breastfeeding outcomes, improving the long-term health outcomes of the population.

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