Factors associated with poor exclusive breastfeeding among mothers at Dwarsloop Community Health Centre, Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga

Abstract

Breast milk contains antibodies that help babies to fight off viruses and bacteria, thus, breastfeeding lowers the baby's risk of having asthma or allergies. Babies who are breastfed exclusively for the first 6 months, without any formula, have fewer ear infections, respiratory illnesses, and bouts of diarrhoea. Dwarsloop Community Health Centre (CHC) has low rates of exclusive breastfeeding (EFB), despite many efforts to increase this practice. The purpose of the study is to evaluate, understand, describe, explore and explain the factors contributing to poor exclusive breastfeeding among mothers at Dwarsloop Community Health Centre (CHC). Methods: The proposed study was conducted using a quantitative research method. Data was collected using self-administered, structured questionnaires, with close-ended questions. The sample in this study was drawn from mothers of infants 0-6 months attending the child health clinic at Dwarsloop CHC during the period of data collection. A sample of 92 mothers was selected for the study. Result: The highest proportion of the mothers had poor exclusive breastfeeding practice (73%). compared to good exclusive breastfeeding practice (27%). Factors associated with poor exclusive breastfeeding practice include experience of breast problems ( 77%), mothers who were embarrassed to breast feed in public (52%), mothers who were supported by their partners ( 39%), mothers who believe that their child was satisfied with breast milk only ( 49%) and mothers who were HIV-positive ( 54%). Conclusions: Although EBF is the correct method for infant feeding, mothers still find it difficult to maintain the practice for up to 6 months. Interventions emphasizing practical education should be targeted at addressing factors associated with poor EBF.