Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Breast and Complementary Infant Feeding Among Mothers in Shinasha Culture: The Case of Bullen Woreda, Benishangul Gumuz Region
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Date
2004-05
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitude and practice of breast and complementary infant feedings among mothers of Shinasha culture in Bullen Woreda. The study was undertaken in four kebeles (Metti, Bullen 02, Matta and Addias Alem) and 80 participants were selected by using convenient sampling as they are mothers who currently are feeding (breast and complementary foods) to their infants and Questionnaire, interview and focus group discussion were used to collect data. This study employed the combination of both qualitative and quantitative methods. In this mixed approach the researcher used quantitative methods of data collection as the dominant and qualitative methods are supplementary. The data were analyzed by using frequency, mean, percentage, Pearson’s correlation as well as one way ANOVA (one way analysis of variance). The result of analysis reveals that mothers were not given any information about infant feeding before birth of the infant and after birth of the infant mothers got information about breast and complementary infant feeding from elder mothers. The result also indicated that there is no significant difference among mothers on their knowledge, attitude and practice of breast and complementary infant feeding on the three categories of age. Mothers lacked sufficient knowledge about the importance of breast feeding for breastfeeding mothers and also biased in duration of breastfeeding between both sexes of their infants. Mothers showed positive attitude about breast feeding in such areas as: Self-initiated interest of breast feeding, enhancement of mother child interaction through breast feeding, enjoyable nature of breast feeding. Regarding the practices of breastfeeding mothers reported that they give fresh butter as pre-lactal food before breast milk during the time of birth. Concerning the knowledge of complementary infant feeding mothers reported that male infants should start complementary foods earlier than female infants. Mothers had positive attitudes about complementary infant feeding, so they reported that early introduction of complementary foods makes their infants healthy and strong. As far as mothers practices of complementary feeding is concerned, mothers practiced providing their infants about two- three times a day. It is concluded that there is no statistically significant difference among mothers on their knowledge level, attitude and practices on breast and complementary infant feeding on their age groups. Finally it was recommended that all concerned bodies of the community, health extension workers etc. should take their parts in educating and creating awareness for mothers about breast and complementary infant feeding. Key words: Breastfeeding, Complementary feeding, Knowledge. Attitudes, Practices, Mothers
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Keywords
Breastfeeding; Complementary feeding; Knowledge; Attitudes;Practices;Mothers