PATTERN AND ATTITUDES OF NURSING MOTHERS TOWARD BREASTFEEDING IN AKURE SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ONDO STATE

ABSTRACT

The study accessed the patterns and attitudes of nursing mothers toward breastfeeding in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State.   The descriptive survey research design was used for the study. Four hundred (400) sample that was used for the study and was drawn using the multistage sampling techniques. The instrument that was used for data collection was a self-constructed Questionnaire. The questionnaire was made up of two sections A and B. Section A contains information on bio data of the respondents such as age, socio-economic status, educational background, occupation. Section B contains questions on pattern and attitude toward breastfeeding among nursing mothers. The instrument was validated by three experts in the Department of Health, Safety and Environmental Education. The reliability of the research instrument was determined by the test – retest method. The instrument was administered to 20 nursing mothers who are part of the population study. Data collected for the study was analyzed using frequency count and percentages. Inferential statistic of chi-square and correlation coefficient was used to test the hypotheses at an alpha level of 0.05.

Findings revealed that the major pattern for breastfeeding is direct feeding among nursing mothers in Akure South, That majority of the respondents have positive attitude towards breastfeeding in Akure South.There is significant difference in the pattern of breastfeeding among nursing mothers in Akure south local government by age. There is significant difference in the pattern of breastfeeding among nursing mothers in Akure south local government by socio Economic status

ConclusionBased on the findings of this study one can candidly conclude that The major pattern for breastfeeding is direct feeding among nursing mothers in Akure South, That majority of the respondents have positive attitude towards breastfeeding in Akure South, there is significant difference in the pattern of breastfeeding among nursing mothers in Akure south local government by age, there is significant difference in the pattern of breastfeeding among nursing mothers in Akure south local government by socio Economic status. Based on the findings of this study it was recommended that government and non-government should increase breastfeeding awareness through the radio, newspaper and other media. It was also recommended that men should be properly educated on the importance of breastfeeding.