141st APHA Annual Meeting

In This section

284120
Accessing exclusive breastfeeding knowledge and practices among mothers of kajiado district of Kenya: A community based study

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Daniel Ganu, MPH, DrPH , Department of Public Health, Adventist University of Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
Exclusive breast-feeding is the most natural and normal means of providing young infants with the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that every country should promote, protect and support breast-feeding program for infants and the mother's health. Exclusive breastfeeding reduces infant mortality due to common childhood illnesses such as diarrhoea or pneumonia, and helps for a quicker recovery during illness. The study employed descriptive-correlational and participatory action research approach employing data collection techniques such as individual interviews using structured questionnaire. A sample size of 200 breastfeeding mothers in the Kadiajo District of Kenya was used for the study. The study showed that 64% of mothers initiated breastfeeding two hours after delivery but 42% were able to exclusively breastfeed for 6 months. Generally, 28% agreed that breast milk alone is inadequate for their babies up to 6 months. Also, 66% of the mothers strongly agree that colostrum which is the first yellowish milk after delivery should be discarded. However, 58.5% of mothers indicated that their husbands influenced their decision and contributed to their breastfeeding while 63.5% received support from other family members. On the other hand, Spearman rho correlation showed no relationship between the variables and exclusive breastfeeding. The study showed poor knowledge and practices of mothers regarding exclusive breastfeeding in Kajiado District of Kenya. This study is important in devising strategies that will increase mother's knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding and assist them adopt better breastfeeding practice.

Learning Areas:
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Provision of health care to the public
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Analyze breastfeeding practices of mothers in Kajiado District of Kenya Discuss breastfeeding knowledge of mothers in Kajiado District of Kenya

Keywords: Breastfeeding, Infant Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to be an abstract Author on the content I am responsible for becuase I have the educational training and have also published in the area. I have also taught courses in the graduate program in the area. I have been a director of a hospital where breastfeeding is the core area of the hospital.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.