Nearly all mothers in Daboase in Ghana's Western Region know that babies should be fed only breast milk for the first six months of life, yet far fewer follow the recommendation, according to a study by researchers at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi.
The study published IOSR Journal of Nursing and health Science found that although 95.2% of mothers knew breast milk alone is sufficient for infants during the first six months, exclusive breastfeeding rates remained below recommended levels.
Researchers John Kofie, Professor Reginald Annan and Professor F. C. Mills Robertson surveyed 390 lactating mothers using structured questionnaires to assess their knowledge, attitudes and breastfeeding practices.
The findings showed that mothers generally possessed high levels of knowledge and positive attitudes towards exclusive breastfeeding. However, the researchers found that knowledge alone was insufficient to ensure mothers consistently adopted recommended feeding practices.
The study identified education, occupation and age as key factors influencing breastfeeding behaviour. Mothers with higher educational attainment and those in wage employment were more likely to practise exclusive breastfeeding than mothers with lower levels of education or those who were unemployed.
Health workers were identified as the primary source of breastfeeding education. Mothers who received breastfeeding information from health professionals demonstrated significantly better knowledge and breastfeeding practices than those who relied on other sources. Similarly, receiving breastfeeding education at hospitals and clinics was strongly associated with improved exclusive breastfeeding outcomes.
The researchers also found that mothers who understood that breast milk alone is sufficient during the first six months of life were significantly more likely to practise exclusive breastfeeding.
Despite the high level of awareness, the study found that cultural beliefs, workplace policies and limited practical support continued to prevent many mothers from exclusively breastfeeding their infants.
"The study reveals a strong knowledge base regarding exclusive breastfeeding among mothers in Daboase. However, a gap exists between knowledge and actual practice, emphasizing that knowledge alone is insufficient to change behaviour," the authors said.
The researchers recommended targeted interventions focusing on mothers with lower educational attainment and those engaged in farming while addressing cultural beliefs and workplace barriers that discourage exclusive breastfeeding.
They also called for stronger community-based awareness campaigns, the integration of breastfeeding education into routine maternal healthcare services, the introduction of workplace policies that support breastfeeding mothers and greater involvement of community leaders in promoting optimal infant feeding practices.
Story: Emmanuel Kwasi Debrah
