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IAA Journal of Applied Sciences 9(1):17-26, 2023. ISSN: 2636-7246
©IAAJOURNALS
Knowledge, Attitude and Practices regarding Exclusive Breastfeeding
Among Mothers Attending Maternal Child Health Clinic at Kitagata Hospital,
Sheema District, Uganda

Ganafa Arthur

Department of Nursing Science, Kampala International University, Uganda

ABSTRACT
Exclusive breastfeeding entails feeding of infants or young children with breast milk only
up to the age of 6 months. Some mothers express milk to be used while their child is being
cared for by others by hand or by using a breast pump. Globally, inadequate nutrition is
an underlying cause of the deaths of more than 2.6 million children and over 100,000
mothers every year. Exclusive breast-feeding entails feeding an infant for 6 months and
thereafter should receive complementary foods with continued breastfeeding up to 2
years of age or beyond. This research study was about the knowledge, attitude and
practices regarding exclusively breast feeding in Kitagata Hospital. A cross-sectional
descriptive utilizing quantitative methods of data collection. The sample size of the study
population was 100 mothers. The mother’s ages ranged from I5 to 44 years, majority (25%)
age 20- 24 years, (71%) of the respondents heard about exclusive breastfeeding,
affordability and attachment to the child was reported equally by (30%) of the
respondents, (56%) did not agree that EBF is on way of family planning, those who agreed
included (12%) and the rest of the respondents did not know (32%). Sixty-two (62%) stated
that their culture allowed breastfeeding immediately after delivery, (38%) of the mothers
believed, breastfeeding makes them lose the shape of their breasts, this was followed by
(24%) who believed breastfeeding in public was their main problem. Most mothers breast
fed exclusively only up to 2 months, majority of the mothers breastfed based on the
demand of the child (42%). Seventy-eight (78%) of the respondents breast fed their children
when sick, while only 22% did not do so. Most mothers are married, reached secondary
level of education, work mostly as housewife’s, know about EBF, Breast feeding is
affordable and created attachment to the child. Mothers perceive babies needing more
than milk feared losing the shape of their breasts, breastfeeding being old fashion, culture
allowed breastfeeding immediately after delivery, most mothers’ breast feed exclusively
only up to 2 months. Public forums should be used as a channel to promote EBF, early
introduction of complementary foods to infants by mothers should be discouraged,
research on the adequacy of breast milk in meeting the nutritional needs of infants to 6
months.
Keywords: knowledge, attitude, practices, exclusive breastfeeding, mothers

INTRODUCTION
Breastfeeding entails feeding a breast pump. Globally, inadequate
of infants or young children with breast nutrition is an underlying cause of the
milk from female breasts. The sucking deaths of more than 2.6 million children
reflex enables babies to suck and swallow and over 100,000 mothers every year
milk instinctively. Some mothers express many health groups, such as World
milk to be used while their child is being Health Organization (WHO)
cared for by others by hand or by using and UNICEF support 6 months of

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exclusive breastfeeding and continued breastfeeding provides the best nutrition
partial breastfeeding for extended and growth for infants, and continued
periods [1]. growth with the introduction of solid
World Health Organization (WHO) foods at six months [3].
recommends breastfeeding as a main Africa exclusive breastfeeding practices
source of food for babies for the first six is based on initial hospital maternity staff
months, and encourages mothers to trained to support new mothers when
consider breastfeeding as the only they indicate a willingness to try
feeding source [2]. Breast milk is the breastfeeding [4].
safest and most natural food for an Western Uganda however, important
infant. It provides an infant’s complete changes in the extension of the maternity
nutritional needs up to four to six months leave of 120 days in various sectors are
of age. There is no need for other food or associated with 97% of working women
drink before this age. When the baby is exclusively breast feeding for a median
fed on breast milk only, it is called duration of 150 days.
exclusive breastfeeding. Exclusive
METHODOLOGY
Study design and rationale N= 150, e= 0.05
The design was cross-sectional 150
n=
descriptive and utilizing quantitative 1 + 150(0.05 2)

methods of data collection. This study Therefore: n= 100 respondents

involved describing the characteristics of Sampling procedure
a particular situation, event or case in Simple Random Sampling was employed
relation to variables such as person, to select the respondents at postnatal
place, and time. clinic. This is done by writing yes or no
Study setting on pieces of paper in a box and ask the
The study was conducted in Kitagata respondents to pick. Those who picked
Hospital, chosen because of being in the yes were enrolled in the study. This was
rural area and serving mainly highly done until the required number of
populated areas with high reproductive respondents was achieved.
rate according to the health facility Inclusion criteria
demographic profile (2014). All mothers of reproductive age who were
Study population present at post natal clinic on the day of
The study population was mothers of data collection who have consented to
reproductive age (15-49 years) who participate in the study were included.
attends Kitagata hospital maternal and Exclusion criteria
child health (MCH) clinic. Research instruments
Sample size determination The researcher administered
Using [5], the sample size for the general questionnaire containing both closed and
population was 100 respondents, with a open-ended questions was used to collect
fixed error of 5% and a Confidence data. This is because it makes data
Interval at 95%. collection easy and fast. It also simplifies
Sample size calculation data analysis.
Equation 1: Sloven Formula Data collection procedure
Data was collected using a semi
structured questionnaire. Interviews
were administered directly to each
Where n= sample size
respondents following the questionnaire
e= fixed error
printed in English and translated in the
N= target Population of the total
population

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Runyankole language (language most introductory letter from Kampala
understandable). international university after the
Data processing and analysis approval of the Proposal. This letter was
Qualitative data from in-depth interviews then presented to the medical
was transcribed and analyzed during and superintendent Kitagata Hospital, who
after the fieldwork. The analysis was introduced the researcher to the relevant
based on themes and subthemes of the health workers/staff. After getting the
study. Code categories were identified clearance from the Health center, the
and then formed the basis of conclusions researcher obtained informed consent
about the study. Direct quotes from the from the respondents and informed them
respondents were also used. Quantitative about the purpose of the study.
data from exit interviews was edited
before leaving each respondent for
uniformity and accuracy. The data was
then coded, entered and analyzed in the
computer using the Statistical Package of
social sciences (SPSS). And findings were
presented and described by tables,
graphs, and charts.
Ethical considerations
Before embarking on the data collection
process, the researcher obtained an
RESULTS
In total 100 respondents took part in the as shown in figure 1 below. None of the
research study, majority age 20- 24 years mothers was aged 45-49 years.

30%

25%

20%

15%
25%
10% 22%
17%
15%
5% 12%
6%
0%
15-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44
Figure 1: Age distribution of the respondents
Majority of the respondents 25% were in 34, 35-39, 20-24, 15-19 and 40-44
age group 20-24 years, followed by 20%, responding.
17%, 15%, 12% and 6% in age groups 30-

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0%
7%
24%
Single
Married
Divorced

69%

Figure 2: Marital status of the respondents

Majority of the participants were married constituted (24%) while the divorced were
(69%), none of the participants had the least constituting only (7%).
widowed. Those who were single

0.6
56%
0.5

0.4

0.3 30%

0.2
12%
0.1
2%
0

None Primary Secondary Tertiary/

University

Figure 3: Level of education

Most respondents attended secondary percentage of the respondents (30%).

level of education (56%), Tertiary level of Those who did not go to school
education also indicated a significant constituted (2%).

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Table 1: Occupational distribution
Category Number Percent
House wife 44 44%
Civil servant 23 23%
Self employed 22 22%
Others 11 11%
Total 100 100%

Majority of the women worked as councils, police, and others) constituted

housewife’s (44%). Those who worked at (23%).
the civil servant offices (teachers, district

16%
44%
14% Catholic
Protestant
Muslim
26% Other

Figure 4: Religious distribution of the respondents

Catholic denomination took the majority Others constituted (16%) which included;
(44%) followed by the protestants (26%). seventh day Adventists (SDAs),
The Muslims women participated in the Pentecostals.
study with a representation of (14%).

0% 0%
No
29%
Yes
71%

Figure 5: Those who heard about EBF

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The findings indicated that (71%) of the for six (6) months. Twenty-nine (29%) of
respondents heard about exclusive the respondents said they did not hear
breastfeeding and all them said it about exclusive breast feeding.
involved giving the child only breast milk

0.35
0.3
0.25
0.2
0.15 30% 30%
24%
0.1
0.05 10%
4%
0

Figure 6: Benefits of EBF

All respondents admitted that; exclusive Affordability and attachment to the child
breast feeding was good. Majority of was reported equally by (30%) of the
these attributed it to mainly two factors. respondents.

12%
32% Yes
No
I don’t know
56%

Figure 7: EBF and Family planning

More than a half of the respondents did (12%) and the rest of the respondents did
not agree that EBF is on way of family not know (32%).
planning (56%). Those who aged included

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70%
60%
50%
40%
30% 62%
20% 35%
10%
0% 2% 1%
Immediately 1-12 hours 13-24 hours > day
after
delivery
Figure 8: Respondent’s culture about the onset breastfeeding

Figure viii show that most of the mothers the respondents stated that their culture
in this study (62%) stated that their allowed exclusive breast feeding after a
culture allowed breastfeeding day. They did not want the child to feed
immediately after delivery. One (1%) of on the first milk.

0.4
0.35
0.3
0.25
0.2 38%
0.15
24%
0.1 20%
16%
0.05
2%
0
Breast Old fasion Lose of Little time Others
feeding in breast
public shape
Figure 9: Respondents thoughts about Breast feeding

Figure ix shows that (38%) of the mothers breastfeeding in public was their main
believed, breastfeeding, makes them lose problem. Those who said breast feeding
the shape of their breasts. This was was an old fashion constituted only (2%).
followed by (24%) who believed

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Table 2: Period of EBF
Category Number Percent
Up to 2 months 55 55%
2-3 months 25 25%
4-5 months 15 15%
Up to 6 months 5 5%
Today 100 100%

Most mothers breast fed exclusively only months. Those who exclusively up to for
up to 2 months. Other mothers months included only (5%)
introduced other feeds after two (2)

Table 3: number of times of daily breastfeeding

Category Number Percent
1-6 times 21 21%
7-10 times 07 7%
More than 10 times 30 30%
On demand 42 42%
None 00 0%
Total 100 100%

Table 2 shows that at least all the mothers of the child (42%). This was followed by
breast feed their children. Majority of the those who breast fed 1-6 times in a day.
mothers breastfed based on the demand

Yes No
0% 0%

22%

78%

Figure 10: Breast feeding a child when sick

Seventy-eight (78%0 of the respondents not breast breast feed a sick child did so
breast fed their children when sick, while because the though breast milk increases
only 22% did not do so. Those who don’t the vomiting in the sick child.
DISCUSSION
The findings indicated that (71%) of the breast feeding both to the infant and the
respondents heard about exclusive mothers.
breastfeeding and all them said it The study showed that the majority of
involved giving the child only breast milk the participants showed affordability as
for six (6) months. The study agrees with most important benefit of exclusive
[6] demonstrated a vast knowledge about breastfeeding (30%). Respondents did not

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know exclusive breastfeeding helps public was their main problem. Those
mothers lose weight [7], decreasing the who said breast feeding was an old
risk of type 2 diabetes, breast cancer, [8]. fashion constituted only (2%).
This study the mothers demonstrated This study agreed with a number of
more of social benefits as compared to studies including the UK national infant
the scientific benefits. However, this was feeding survey found that 19 % of those
attributed to by high illiteracy who stopped breastfeeding by 4 months
More than a half of the respondents did attributed this to the need to return to
not agree that EBF is on way of family work. This research concurs with
planning (56%). This is contrary to [9] findings of other researchers who found
improve exclusive breastfeeding rates it out that maternal employment was a
is important to involve healthcare factor as in Hong Kong women’s
providers in the process of encouraging decisions to wean early
mothers to choose exclusive [11,12,13,14,15,16]. Table 2 shows that
breastfeeding for their children as it at least all the mothers breast feed their
contributes to family planning practices. children. Majority of the mothers
Psychological beliefs are important breastfed based on the demand of the
factors that influence exclusive child (42%). This was followed by those
breastfeeding prevalence in general [10]. who breast fed 1-6 times in a day.
Thirty eight (38%) of the mothers Seventy-eight (78%) of the respondents
believed, breastfeeding makes them lose breast fed their children when sick, while
the shape of their breasts although less only 22% did not do so. Mothers believed
represented, the findings of a study that sometimes breast milk is the reason
among Hong Kong women showed that the child gets sick especially in early
women tended to consider breastfeeding infants. These infections however begin
as socially limiting and thought that to develop from six weeks when the
women should not be tied to the baby and children’s immune systems is beginning
family making them age and lose the to establish with ability to recognize
shape of their breasts. This was followed infection which is a complimentary of
by (24%) who believed breastfeeding in breast milk.
CONCLUSION
Most mothers are married, (69%), reached was reported equally by (30%) of the
secondary level of education (56%), work respondents.
mostly as housewife’s (44%), catholic Mothers don’t view breastfeeding as one
denomination took the majority (44%). way of family planning. Among the other
Most mothers know about EBF (71%) and factors that hindered EBF, mothers
all them said it involved giving the child perception of babies needing more than
only breast milk for six (6) months. milk had the highest percentage,
Exclusive breast feeding was good to the followed by fear of breasts loosing shape.
mothers attributed mainly to two factors; The least factors were having difficulties
Affordability and attachment to the child in EBF and breastfeeding being old
fashion all at all.
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