CHALLENGES OF EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING AMONG WORKING CLASS WOMEN

 CHALLENGES OF EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING AMONG WORKING CLASS WOMEN

Abstract

More than half of Nigerian mothers choose to breastfeed their infants exclusively, according to regular national polls. Nevertheless, there is a lack of data about EBF among working moms who are professionals, especially for how long it lasts following maternity leave. In Nigeria, a woman’s right to 12 weeks (84 days) of paid maternity leave might be extended by two weeks in the event of a caesarean section or other unusual birth. This research looked at professional working moms in one of Nigeria’s ten regional capitals to see how common EBF is and what variables contribute to its prevalence. Using a multi-stage selection procedure, 369 working moms were selected for the descriptive cross-sectional research. From January to July of 2015, the research was organised and carried out. Over the course of one month, data was collected using standardised questionnaires that were designed specifically for the study. Several aspects were evaluated, such as the mother’s knowledge base on exclusive breastfeeding, the sorts of workplace amenities that assist breastfeeding, the obstacles to exclusive breastfeeding at work, and demographic data. A baby is said to be exclusively breastfed if they are given nothing but breast milk and no other solids or liquids, with the exception of any prescribed medications or dietary supplements. The concept of exclusive breastfeeding was well-known by the majority of responders (99%). The EBF rate was poor at six months (only 10.3%), despite the fact that 91% of women started nursing within one hour after giving birth. Three factors were found to be determinants of exclusive breastfeeding frequency (EBF) in the study. First, mothers whose maternity leave was shorter were less likely to practise EBF (AOR 0.09; 95% CI 0.02, 0.45) and those whose deliveries were normal were nearly ten times more likely to practise EBF (AOR 9.02; 95% CI 2.85, 28.53). Finally, mothers whose infant feeding recommendations were not provided by health workers were less likely to practise EBF (AOR 0.45; 95% CI 0.27, 0.77). Better regulations regarding maternity leave and breastfeeding-friendly workplaces are required since professional working moms have a high incidence of breastfeeding beginning but a low rate of EBF continuation.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

In low-income and middle-income countries, 1.4 million children under the age of five die and 10% of the disease burden is attributed to suboptimal breastfeeding, specifically not exclusively breastfeeding for the first six months of life, according to the 2008 Lancet Series on Maternal and Child Undernutrition [1]. There are 125 million babies born every year, but only 42% (or 57 million) start breastfeeding within an hour of delivery, 39% are breastfed exclusively for the first six months, and 58% continue for at least another year after that [2]. This condition is explained by a number of studies that have documented obstacles, such as going back to work after giving birth [3]. According to some, a supportive workplace and working environment are crucial elements that decide the success of exclusive breastfeeding even following return to work [4]. The Nigerian Population and Housing Census Report from 2010 revealed, however, that more and more women were entering the workforce [5]. According to Guendelman et al., one of the main reasons why mothers stop nursing within the first six months is because it’s so difficult to juggle breastfeeding with paid job [6]. The effectiveness of exclusive breastfeeding varies from one woman’s profession and occupation to another in Nigeria. This is particularly true in areas where women work outside the house in industrial jobs and put in long hours [7, 8]. Returning to work during the first month is attributed by Magner and Phillipi to the end of nursing [9]. The average duration of a mother’s maternity leave in Nigeria is three months, which Aryeetey and Goh point out matches with the duration of exclusive breastfeeding [10]. The early discontinuation of exclusive breastfeeding is associated with the use of commercial breast milk replacements, which are often of low nutritional quality, according to Cai et al.’s 2012 “global trends in exclusive breastfeeding” [11]. Early breastfeeding start was recognised as an intervention that enhanced child health and reduced childhood illnesses in a recent study by Fosu-brefo and Arthur titled “effect of timely initiation of breastfeeding on child health in Nigeria” [12]. In addition to the characteristics that are known to be present in Nigeria, Ayton and colleagues have discovered a number of additional ones that are detrimental to successful breastfeeding, including the inability or delay to begin nursing at an early age [13]. While researching the barriers to exclusive breastfeeding among Nigerian working-class mothers, Agunbiade and Ogunleye found that the widespread belief that introducing complementary feedings to infants younger than six months old has a negative impact on both the start and continuation of breastfeeding [14]. There were a number of reasons why working moms in China and Western Kenya had a low EBF prevalence. Working moms face a number of obstacles, including an early return to work, restricted flexibility in work hours, loss of privacy, a sense of being watched and evaluated, a lack of support networks, exhaustion, and emotional support at work. Even though all of the mothers in this study planned to breastfeed exclusively, EBF practice was hindered by factors such as mothers’ work outside the home, fathers’ demanding occupations that may limit their support for breastfeeding, and shorter maternity leave regulations in Vietnam [17]. According to these research, most working moms start nursing exclusively when they leave the maternity unit, but they soon stop, generally because of issues connected to their jobs.

1.2 Problem Statement

These reasons mostly disrupted the exclusivity of breastfeeding, yet it was not entirely abandoned. Inadequate information, insecurity, and competence on proper breastfeeding techniques, as well as difficulties with other labor-related issues, are some of the variables that prevent women from initiating and maintaining exclusive breastfeeding in Nigeria and worldwide [16, 18, 19]. These difficulties may be more severe for working moms in Nigeria and may involve the following: introducing weaning foods too soon, cutting the period of exclusive breastfeeding short, or providing alternatives to breast milk.

Despite statistics showing that only about 36% of developing-world newborns are nursed exclusively until they are six months old [20], national surveys in Nigeria found that 52% of mothers are still nursing their children at six months [18]. The Upper West Region has a higher rate of exclusive breastfeeding than the national average, at 60%, but it is still below the national aim of 80%. It is yet too early to tell whether or not working mothers in this part of Nigeria are more likely to breastfeed exclusively. So, the purpose of this research was to find out how many working women in Nigeria’s capital of the Upper West Regional are nursing exclusively and what factors influence this practice.

1.3 Objectives of the study

1. to Find out how far working-class moms who are nursing think the advantages of breastfeeding extend;
2. to identify the extent to which breastfeeding mothers from working-class backgrounds perceive various obstacles to nursing exclusively;

1.4 Significance of the study

The study’s results will give policymakers and the general public with an up-to-date picture of mothers’ perspectives on exclusive breastfeeding, so that they, along with Nigeria’s working-class breastfeeding mothers and their supporters, can come up with creative solutions to this problem.

This is an in-depth explanation of how to calculate the value of the researcher’s measurable attributes. Also included are the particulars of the measurements used to assess these traits (Will, March, 2004).

Perception The viewpoint on exclusive breastfeeding encompasses one’s understanding, behaviour, mindset, and convictions.

Exclusive Breastfeeding The term “exclusive breastfeeding” refers to the practice of feeding a newborn nothing but breast milk for the first six months of life.

The literature review chapter covers Issues Facing Working-Class Mothers Who Choose to Breastfeed Their Children Exclusively, Research on the Perks and Downsides of Exclusive Breastfeeding, A Review of the Literature on the Subject, Working-Class Mothers Who Choose to Breastfeed Their Children Exclusively, Professional Working Mothers, Working-Class Mothers, Working-Class Mothers Who Breastfeed Their Children.