Practice of Exclusive Breastfeeding Among Nursing Mothers in Odo Ado Community Ado Local Government, Ekiti State

This study assessed the practice of exclusive breastfeeding among nursing mothers in Odo Ado Community Ado local government, Ekiti State. The study specifically assessed the level of knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding; determined the perception of exclusive breastfeeding; investigated the practice of exclusive breastfeeding; and examined the factors hindering the practice of exclusive breastfeeding among nursing mothers in Odo Ado Community, Ado Local government, Ekiti state. Descriptive of the cross-sectional type research design was used in this study. The target population for the research was the nursing mothers in Odo Ado community, Ado Local Government, Ekiti State. Snowball sampling technique was used in selecting participant until data saturation of 100 (hundred) nursing mothers in Odo Ado community. A Self- structured questionnaire was the instrument used for the study. The questionnaire comprised of five sections: section A, B, C, D and E. The instrument was subjected to face and content validity. Internal consistency method was used to determine the reliability of the instrument. The data collected were subjected to Cronbach Alpha which yielded reliability co-efficient value of 0.82. Data collected were subjected to descriptive statistics. The findings of the study revealed that majority of mothers (54%) practice exclusive breastfeeding while (46%) does not practice it. It was recommended among others that exclusive breastfeeding for six months of life should be encouraged among mothers irrespective of the nature of work or level of education.

Keywords: Breastfeeding, Exclusive, Nursing Mothers, Practice,