Understanding the Knowledge and Practice of Breast Feeding among Women in a Selected Hospital in Abuja, Nigeria: A Questionnaire Based Study

Abstract

Background: Breastfeeding is the most effective way to provide nutrition and protection for a child. The global rate of breastfeeding increased by 10% over a decade in 2023 (WHO et al., 2023). Nigeria recorded an exclusive breastfeeding rate of 29% in 2015. The major contributing factor to the low rate of breastfeeding in Nigeria is wrong information (Ogundana A.E.A 2015). Method: This study was carried out in antenatal Clinics of Nyanya General Hospital Abuja in 2024 in commemoration of the world breastfeeding week by Lady Helen Child Health Foundation. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to Mothers before and after disseminating information about breastfeeding and also to nurses and midwives. In order to determine their knowledge of breastfeeding and the effect of information sharing. Result: Pre-lecture the knowledge of the benefits of breastfeeding was significant in association with mothers’ knowledge of the challenges of breastfeeding (P value < 0.001). Post lecture their understanding of the lecture was significant with the knowledge of the challenges of breastfeeding (P value = 0.030) and also in association to interest to share information (P value= 0.010). The effect of promoting breastfeeding during breastfeeding week among the nurses and midwives was significant in association to the mother’s understanding of breastfeeding (P value = 0.003); The age of the nurses and midwives was significantly associated with their participation in breastfeeding week activities (P value = 0.002) and sharing of written materials for information of breastfeeding to mothers (P value = 0.042). Discussion and Conclusion: The study shows a good level of knowledge among the participants. The effect of information sharing in promoting the importance of breastfeeding among mothers cannot be overemphasized. The role of civil societies and government in collaboration with health workers is needed for adequate dissemination of accurate information on breastfeeding.

Declaration of Interest

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest

Ethics Approval

The research was approved by the Research Committee of Lady Helen Child Health Foundation (LHCHF/BF/ETHICS/2024/001). Consent to distribute questionnaire and carryout the research on patients was given by the Hospitals and individual participants.

Funder Statement

This work was supported by Lady Helen Child Health Foundation (LHCHF). LHCHF decided the locations of the study, collected data from the site, analyzed and interpreted the data, wrote reports of the research. The decision to submit the paper for publication was taken by LHCHF Research Group.

Sani, Aminat and Odeka, Benjamin and Benjamin, Jessica, Understanding the Knowledge and Practice of Breast Feeding among Women in a Selected Hospital in Abuja, Nigeria: A Questionnaire Based Study (March 15, 2026). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=6977838 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.6977838