The Practice of Exclusive Breastfeeding among Professional Working Mothers in Wa Central Municipality, Ghana.

Abstract

Background: Breastfeeding improves the growth, health and survival status of infants, especially when done within the first hour and exclusively for the first six months of life. Objectives: The study assessed the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding and other infant feeding practices among professional working mothers. The study also assessed the awareness of professional working mothers on exclusive breastfeeding. Methods: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study with a multi-stage sampling technique applied in selecting 380 respondents. Structured questionnaires were used in the data collection. Data was entered into Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 and was cross checked for errors before analysis. Frequencies and percentages of the data were displayed using tables. Chi-square (bi-variate analysis) test was done to ascertain the associations between dependent and independent variables. Simple logistic regression was used to test the strength of associations between various variables and the outcome variable. Multiple logistic regressions were also used to control for confounders. Results: There was a near universal awareness of exclusive breastfeeding among respondents (99%). Even though most (91%) mothers initiated breastfeeding, the exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) rate was low (10.3%). The study showed three factors as predictors of EBF from the multiple logistic regression analysis. Infant feeding recommendation by health workers (OR 0.453, CI 0.268-0.766), duration of maternity leave (OR 0.090, CI 0.018-0.446), and type of delivery (OR 9.018, CI 2.851-28.530). Given the very high breastfeeding initiation, but low EBF rate among professional working mothers; there is the need to provide follow-up services to ensure continuation of the practice among mothers after delivery.