ABSTRACT

Exclusive Breast Feeding (EBF) is when an infant is given its entire nutrient from human breast milk and receives no complementary food during the first six months of birth. This study assessed the level of knowledge and practice of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers of child-bearing age in Egor Local Government Area, Edo State. Descriptive cross-sectional research design was adopted in determining the knowledge and practice of exclusive breastfeeding among women of child bearing age in Egor, Local Government Area, Edo State. Two hundred and fifty (250) respondents was used for this study and they consist of lactating mothers in Egor Local Government Area, with a child of at least zero (0) months and at most two years at the time of the research. The results showed that majority of the respondents have heard of exclusive breast feeding 229 (91.6%) while 21 (8.4%) had no knowledge of exclusive breast feeding. Also, majority of the respondents practice exclusive breastfeeding, 203 (81.2%), 31 (12.4%) practice mixed breast feeding while 16 (6.4%) practice only breast milk substitute. Hence, it can be concluded that mothers within the area of study had good knowledge and practice of exclusive breastfeeding.

Keywords: Exclusive, Breast feeding, Infant, Nutrient