Breastfeeding Practices in Infants in the West Region of Cameroon
Author(s):
A. Chiabi , Bg Kamga , E. Mah , S. Nguefack , P. Fokam , W. Tafen , Pf Tchokoteu
Abstract:
Background
The study was conducted to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and practices of breast-feeding in the West region of Cameroon.Methods
A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted in two health facilities on 195 mother-infant pairs, seen at the out patient and vaccination units of the Bafoussam Regional Hospital over a period of one month from 1st to 30th September 2008. The socio-demographic characteristics of mothers, knowledge on breastfeeding and the practice of breastfeeding were studied. Data was analyzed using the SPSS software. The chi square and student t- test were used for comparison and results considered significant for P< 0.05.Results
Breastfeeding was practised by 99.48% of the mothers. Only 33.8% of the mothers knew that they had to exclusively breastfeed up to 6 months, and 20% effectively breastfed up to 6 months. The mean duration of breastfeeding was 5.06 months and negatively correlated with the number of children and the profession of the mother. In 69.74% of the women, nothing was given to the baby before the first breastfeed. Discontinuation of breastfeeding was done averagely around 15.24 months and earlier in married women and in those with a higher educational level.Conclusion
Although the majority of parents practised breast feeding, only a minority understood its benefits, so more should be done to educate the community on the benefits of exclusive breast-feeding for up to six months.Language:
English
Published:
Iranian Journal of Public Health, Volume:40 Issue: 2, Summer 2011
Page:
11
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