Experiences; attitudes and beliefs of secondary school students about breastfeeding

ABSTRACT

The experiences; knowledge; attitudes and beliefs of 824 teenagers from 18 secondary schools in Enugu and Port Harcourt; about infant feeding and in particular breastfeeding; were investigated; using a questionnaire. The students had good experience of both breast and bottle-feeding as over 75 percent of them had been breast and/or bottle fed and over 80 percent had bottle-fed younger children. The students' knowledge of breastfeeding; breast milk and weaning was poor. Despite their extensive experience with bottle feeding and their poor knowledge of breast milk and breastfeeding; the basic attitudes and beliefs of the students about breastfeeding were positive. To reinforce these positive attitudes and beliefs; it is suggested that formal education on breastfeeding and infant feeding be part of health education programmes in secondary schools. By this means; the breastfeeding culture inherent in the community can be promoted and protected