Comparison of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices on Exclusive Breastfeeding Between Primiparous and Multiparous Mothers Attending Wajir District Hospital, Wajir County, Kenya: A Cross-Sectional Analytical Study
Loading...
Date
2018
Authors
Mohamed, Mahat Jimale
Ochola, Sophie
Owino, Victor O.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ibj
Abstract
Background: Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is recommended for 6 months of age, with continued breastfeeding for
2 years of age or beyond. There is paucity of information on the disparity in Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices
(KAP) on EBF between primiparous and multiparous mothers. This study compared the KAP on EBF between
primiparous and multiparous mothers attending Wajir County Hospital, Wajir County, Kenya and investigated the
association between maternal knowledge and attitudes and EBF.
Methods: Information on maternal KAP on EBF was collected through structured researcher administered
questionnaires for a total of 281 mothers, recruited from a maternal and child health centre in 2014; primiparous
(n = 137) and multiparous (n = 144) with infants 0–5 months of age. Maternal knowledge and attitudes on various
aspects of breastfeeding were determined. The knowledge and attitude scores were also calculated. The practice
of EBF was determined based on a 24-h recall.
Results: The prevalence of EBF among infants 0–5 months old was 45.5%. The rate of EBF among primiparous
mothers was 39.4% and multiparous mothers 49.3%. The knowledge score on breastfeeding (out of a total of 10)
for the primiparous mothers was 7.93 ± 2.10 and 7.49 ± 2.20 for the multiparous mothers. The mean attitude score
(out of a total score of 40) for the primiparous mothers was 29.46 ± 5.65 and 28.65 ± 6.40 for the multiparous
mothers. The prevalence of EBF and maternal knowledge and attitudes towards breastfeeding was similar
among the two groups of mothers. Those mothers with positive attitudes towards breastfeeding were more
likely to EBF (Fisher’s exact test; p = 0.00) compared with those with lower scores.
Conclusions: Interventions to promote exclusive breastfeeding should be tailored to the needs of each population by
identifying the factors that influence the practice in a given context. The findings of this study will be useful particularly
for behavior change communication interventions by those organizations working in similar circumstances to the
study area.
Description
article
Keywords
Knowledge, Attitude and practices (KAP), Primiparous mothers, Multiparous mothers, Exclusive breastfeeding, Kenya
Citation
Mohamed, M. J., Ochola, S., & Owino, V. O. (2018). Comparison of knowledge, attitudes and practices on exclusive breastfeeding between primiparous and multiparous mothers attending Wajir District hospital, Wajir County, Kenya: a cross-sectional analytical study. International breastfeeding journal, 13, 1-10.