The Effect of Exclusive Breastfeeding on Marital Satisfaction in Bokkos Local Government, Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated the effect of exclusive breastfeeding on marital satisfaction. A sample of 150 participants that comprised 114 (76.0%) Females and 36 (24%) males, aged between 20-56 were purposively selected from Bokkos community; and primary healthcares in Bokkos Local Government in Plateau State. The Maternal Breastfeeding Evaluation Scale (MBFES), and Index of Marital Satisfaction questionnaire were administered. The study utilized ex post facto research design. Three hypotheses were tested using multivariate linear regression analysis. The first hypothesis revealed that the regression coefficient of maternal role attainment in the estimated regression line is 0.030; which indicates that 3.0% of change in marital satisfaction was accounted for by maternal role attainment. The value of the calculated statistic of maternal role attainment was not significant, t =0.356, p =0.722 (p˃0.05). The hypothesis was not accepted. Hypothesis two showed that the regression coefficient of infant growth in the estimated regression line is 0.018, which indicates that 1.8% of change in marital satisfaction was accounted for by infant growth. The value of the calculated statistic of infant growth was not significant, t =0.216, p =0.0829 (p≥ 0.05). The hypothesis was not accepted. Hypothesis three demonstrated that the regression coefficient of maternal body image in the estimated regression line is -0.002; which indicates that 0.2% of change in marital satisfaction was accounted for by maternal body image. The value of the calculated statistic of maternal body image was not significant, t = -0.028, p =0.978 (p ≥0.05). The hypothesis was not accepted. Based on these outcomes, it is recommended that healthcare professionals should not renege on educating spouses and general public regarding the significance of exclusive breastfeeding to mitigate negative family perception particularly on expectant mothers.