Awareness and attitude of men towards exclusive breastfeeding in Sokoto Metropolis.

Meme FC1*, Oche MO2
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
2Department of Community Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto State, Nigeria.
*Correspondence: Dr. Meme Franklin, +234 803 435 2914; elfranellyy@gmail.com

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Abstract

Background: Over the years, breastfeeding has been the safest and easiest way to give the newborn an assuring start to feeding in the extra-uterine life. Exclusive breastfeeding has been proven to be the gateway to this exciting start in life. The contribution and support of the man towards this practice cannot be over-emphasised.
Objective: To determine the awareness and attitude of men towards exclusive breastfeeding.
Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in Wamakko local government area of Sokoto State in 2006, which form a major part of Sokoto metropolis and plays host to major ministries and parastatals of Government, including the teaching hospital. It was a cross-sectional descriptive study. A structured, self-administered questionnaire, containing relevant questions on biodata, awareness and attitude towards exclusive breastfeeding among men was answered by 152 respondents.
Results: Majority of the men (96.4%) were aware of exclusive breastfeeding, of these, 60.4% strongly approved their wives to practice it, while 31.4% approved of it. There was a significant difference between the educational status of the men and their awareness about exclusive breastfeeding, x2= 46.67; df = 2 p> 0.05. There was no significant difference in the tribes of the respondents and their decision to allow their wives practice exclusive breastfeeding, x2 = 0.685; df = 3. P< 0.05.
Conclusion: This study revealed that there is a high level of awareness on exclusive breastfeeding amongst men in the studied population. Education improves the awareness and positive attitude of men towards exclusive breastfeeding, which is unlikely to be affected by tribe.

Keywords: Breastfeeding, Awareness, Attitude, Education, Sokoto.

Cite this article: Meme FC, Oche MO. Awareness and attitude of men towards exclusive breastfeeding in Sokoto Metropolis. Yen Med J. 2019;1(1):10-14.

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