Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Breastfeeding among mothers of children six months to three years seen at a tertiary children hospital in Freetown

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction Severe
acute malnutrition accounts for a
significant proportion of admission into the tertiary children’s
hospital in Freetown. However,
adequate breastfeeding is supposed to protect against severe
malnutrition. Against this background, the knowledge, attitude
and practice of mothers of children admitted into the hospital,
were assed to determine the current state of breastfeeding in Sierra Leone.
Methods: A structured questionnaire specifically designed and
pretested was used to gather information on the knowledge, attitude
and practice of breastfeeding of
mothers with children aged 3
years and below admitted into
ODCH between January and April
2021.
Result: Of the 206 mothers studied, 168 (81.6%) were aged 18 to
35 years, 145 (70.4%) married.
Thirty-five (17%) respondents
had inadequate knowledge, while
61 (29.6%) had poor attitude and
115 (55.8%) poor practice. Factors
associated with poor breastfeeding
practice include age below 18
years, unmarried mothers and delivery by Caesarian section. Exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months
was associated with being married
(ρ-0.002). Initiation of breast feeding within 1 hour was associated
with being married (ρ-0.001) and
vaginal delivery (ρ-0.005) while
prelacteal feeding was associated
with preterm delivery (ρ-0.020).
Conclusion: Despite a high prevalence of adequate knowledge
among mothers of children presenting in the facility, the practice
of breast feeding remain poor.
There is need to provide support to
mothers to appropriately carry out
good breast feeding practices especially for younger and unmarried
mothers and those who deliver via
ceasarean section.
Keywords: Breastfeeding, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Freetown