Geographic Analysis of the Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Exclusive Breastfeeding by Women of Reproductive Age in Bauchi Local Government Area, Bauchi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Exclusive breast feeding (EBF) is very useful to children. World Health Organization (WHO) set a target of at least 90% children to be exclusively breastfed by 2025. However, most women are not knowledgeable of this feeding method. The women who are informed of EBF are not putting the knowledge into use due to attitudinal issue. Therefore, this study was conceived to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of EBF, in Bauchi Local Government Area, among women of reproductive age. The investigation involved a cross sectional study. A structured questionnaire was administered on 400 respondents. The local government area was stratified into 4 districts. A systematic sampling technique was used to select the respondents in the sampled communities. Results from the study indicate that 44.5% of the women of the study area have poor knowledge despite 55.5% of them having good attitude to EBF. The prevalence of EBF in this study is 37.9%. This is less than the 90% target by WHO by 2025. The conclusion from the study is that, though, appreciable level of attitude toward EBF was found in the study area, the level of knowledge as well as the prevalence of EBF are still low. The study recommended that the Bauchi Local Government Area as well as the Bauchi State Government should promote EBF. The health extension workers in the state should particularly make EBF a subject of education to the women, using effective communication media.