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ABSTRACT
Background: Nigeria has one of the highest rates of infant mortality in Africa; 67 per 1000 live births and 132 of under-5 mortalities. Breastfeeding newborns as promptly as possible after birth significantly enhances their likelihood of continued existence by making the infant receive colostrum which is rich in immunoglobulin’s and other protective nutrients. Antenatal Breastfeeding education is teaching women about breastfeeding during pregnancy; before the baby arrives. Poor breastfeeding practices such as delayed initiation, mixed feeding of infants before six months can affect infant survival. There is limited report on studies that examined the information available to expectant mothers on breastfeeding. This research project assessed the content of breastfeeding education during antenatal sessions and the breastfeeding practice of mothers attending a secondary health facility in Benin City. Objective: This study aimed to assess the effect of antenatal breastfeeding education on early initiation of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding practice among mothers attending a secondary health facility in Benin City. The study assessed the content of breastfeeding education given to women during antenatal clinic, the knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding following antenatal education given to mothers, early initiation of breastfeeding of mothers after delivery, practice of exclusive breastfeeding of mothers and identified factors influencing the practice of exclusive breastfeeding of mothers. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was carried out among mothers who had vaginal delivered in Central Hospital from January to December 2021. Three hundred and sixty women who met the selection criteria were recruited consecutively. Data was collected from the respondents using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and an observational checklist was used to assess antenatal breastfeeding education. The data obtained xvi was analyzed with IBM SPSS and the quantitative variables were expressed as frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation. A p-value of < 0.05 with a 95% confidence interval was considered as statistically significant. Result: The age of respondents ranged from 18 to 42, 208 (57.8%) of the respondents had Secondary school level of education. A lower proportion of the mothers 105 (29.2%) has delivered once, 339 (94.2%) attended antenatal in Central Hospital, 138 (38.3%) attended ANC at least 8 times. Three hundred and thirty-four (92.8%) received breastfeeding education. The overall content of breastfeeding education is inadequate with 183 (51.0%) of women not receiving adequate breastfeeding education, 243 (67.7%) of the participants have good knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding, 133 (36.9%) initiated breastfeeding within one hour of delivery, 276 (76.7%) of mothers were exclusively breastfeeding their babies at 6 weeks postpartum. With a P value of (<0.001), there is an association between knowledge of EBF and EBF practice. primiparous mothers have 64.6 reduction in the odd of knowledge of EBF when compared with multiparous mothers (OR 0.354 (95% CI, 0.210-0.598). Mothers who attended ANC 8 times have 33.0 reduction in the odd of practice of EBF compared with women who attended ANC sessions more than 8 times (OR 0.670, (95% CI 0.399-1.126). Conclusion: The overall content of breastfeeding education was inadequate and majority of the mothers had good knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding. There was low prevalence of early breastfeeding initiation while there was high prevalence of EBF practice at six weeks postdelivery. There was a significant association between knowledge and practice of EBF. Other predominant factors influencing EBF include spousal support, perceived adequacy of breast milk and mothers’ nature of job.
