ABSTRACT
Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and attitude of Nigerian men working in a tertiary institution toward infant feeding. Study Design: The study was cross sectional in design. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria between April 2013 and May 2013. Methodology: A pretested, self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on the socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge and attitude of 170 male staff of the University of Ibadan regarding infant feeding. Knowledge questions and attitude statements were scored and categorized as adequate or inadequate knowledge; positive and negative attitude. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and association between knowledge and attitude was analyzed using chi square test with level of significant set at P<0.05. Results: The mean age of the men was 41±9 years and a large proportion (87.6%) was married. The respondents were largely (75.9%) non-academic staff. About two-third (67.6%) of the men had poor infant feeding knowledge while three out of ten had good knowledge. Most of the men (76.5%) had negative attitude towards infant feeding while only two out of ten men had positive attitude. Three-quarters (75.7%) of men with poor infant feeding knowledge had negative attitude towards infant feeding while only 2 out of every 10 men with adequate infant feeding knowledge had positive attitude towards infant feeding. However, no significant association was reported between the knowledge and attitude of respondents toward infant feeding (P=.72). Conclusion: Poor infant feeding knowledge and negative attitude towards infant feeding exhibited by men is of great concern. Intervention should therefore be targeted towards improving the breastfeeding knowledge and attitude of male partners especially those working in tertiary academic institutions.
ABSTRACT
Aims: This study explored the knowledge and attitude concerning Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF) among young women who are apprenticed to learn hairdressing in Agbowo community, Ibadan, Nigeria. Study Design: The study was cross sectional in design. Place and Duration of Study: Study was carried out in Agbowo community in Ibadan-north local government area of Ibadan, south-western Nigeria between January 2012 and June 2012. Methodology: Through the hairdresser’s association in the study area, 164 apprentices were enumerated but only 116 met the criteria and consented to participate. Semi-structured intervieweradministered questionnaires were used to collect data on socio-demography, knowledge of EBF and attitudes towards breast feeding. Knowledge questions and attitude statements were scored and grouped as adequate or inadequate knowledge; positive or negative attitude. Association between knowledge and socio-demographic variables were explored by chi-square analysis. Results: Most apprentices were between 21-25yrs (49%), attained the senior secondary (SSS) level of education (55.2%) and majority were single (91.4%).While many (63.8%) of the respondents had inadequate knowledge of EBF, nearly all of them (96.4%) had positive attitude to breast feeding. Only 36.23% knew that infants should receive breast milk only, 68.1% would give water and 53.4%would give herbal teas in the first six months of life. Some misconceptions (e.g. colostrum is dirty) and negative attitudes (e.g. breast feeding inconvenient, embarrassing, sags breasts) existed. A significant association exist between age group of respondents (p=.001); level of education (p=.001) and knowledge of exclusive breast feeding. Conclusion: Relevant interventions about EBF should focus on young people especially those with low levels of education, who have gaps in EBF knowledge so that misconceptions and negative attitudes can be resolved.