Current Knowledge and Attitude to Exclusive Breastfeeding Practice among Lactating Mothers Visiting a Health Facility in Lagos State, Nigeria

Background: Information about maternal knowledge and attitude toward exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) practice is consequential to the actualization of the goals of the baby-friendly initiative and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5. This paper assessed the current knowledge and attitude of EBF practices among nursing mothers attending a health facility in Lagos, Nigeria. Methods: The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional descriptive design. One hundred and twenty (120) nursing mothers attending the Isheri Olofin Primary Health Centre (IOPHC) and currently breastfeeding children between 0-24 months were interviewed. A pre-tested questionnaire that elicits information on maternal socio-demographic characteristics, child index, 24-point knowledge scale, 30-point attitude scale, and 12-point practice scale of EBF was employed. Data was analysed using descriptive, Chi-square, and adjusted odd ratios (aORs) generated from a logistic regression model. Results: About 89.2% of the respondents demonstrated good knowledge, while 81.7% depicted a positive attitude. All respondents (100%) had heard about EBF. About 86.7% believed that EBF is only adequate in the first six months of a newborn baby. Respondents with good knowledge of EBF were 3 folds more likely to have good EBF practice than those with poor knowledge (aOR=3.07, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.74, 9.52), while those with a positive attitude towards EBF were twice as likely to have good EBF practice than those with a negative attitude (aOR=2.17, 95% CI: 1.16, 5.73). Conclusion: Respondents had good knowledge and a positive attitude towards EBF practice. The study also affirmed a strong relationship between maternal EBF knowledge and attitude and current practice among the respondents. Highlights: Respondents exhibited good knowledge and a positive attitude toward exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) practice. Respondents initiated breastfeeding within 24hrs of birth and fed their infants with colostrum. Current practices have a significant relationship with maternal EBF knowledge and maternal attitude.