Abstract:
Background: Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is giving the infant no other food or
drink apart from breast milk for the first six months of an infant’s life. Some women
fail EBF due to poor latch, sore nipple, or breast engorgement which results in
reduced breastmilk.
Purpose: The aim of the study was to determine factors contributing to EBF
amongst women of child-bearing age at Sekhukhune District.
Study method: A quantitative study, applying the cross-sectional study design was
used to conduct this study. Four-hundred and forty seven mothers with babies not
greater than six months participated in the study. Ethical clearance and permission
to conduct the study was obtained. A self-structured questionnaire was used to
collect data. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences
version 25 .
Results:
Most mothers (97%) attended antenatal care and only 3% did not attend. The rate of
EBF was 55%. Mothers who initiated breastfeeding immediately after birth were
74%. Health care workers had a great influence on mothers to breastfeed exclusively
(25%). Mothers who delivered vaginally were more likely to exclusively breastfeed.
Conclusion: The findings of this study revealed the following factors which
contributed towards EBF amongst women of childbearing age; such as attendance
of antenatal care, counseling on feeding practices, mode of delivery, and the onset
of breastfeeding after birth.
Recommendations: Interventions such as counseling about the choice of feeding ,
education about the benefits of EBF, and starting with breastfeeding immediately
after birth appears to be of importance in promoting EBF.
