(P27-094-25) Determinants of Exclusive Breastfeeding Practices of Mothers and Infants Aged 0–12 Months Pairs at Institute of Child Health University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu

Objectives: Optimal breastfeeding offers unique nutrients that promote healthy growth and development of infants. This study predicted the determinants of exclusive breastfeeding practices of mothers and infants aged 0–12 months pairs at the Institute of Child Health (ICH) University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu.

Methods: The study employed a cross-sectional study design. One hundred and fifty (150) mothers and infants aged 0–12 months pair whose consent were obtained to participate in the study were randomly selected. Structured and validated questionnaires were administered to the mothers to elicit information. Data were analyzed with a statistical product for service solution (SPSS) version 23. Statistical analysis was done using logistic regression and statistical significant was accepted at p ≤ 0.05.

Results: The findings showed that 64.7% of the mothers were aged between 25 and 34 years, 50% had tertiary education, 26.7% and 26% were traders and civil servants, respectively. 79.3% had a monthly income earning of less than ₦30,000. More than one-third (38.6%) initiate breastfeeding within the first one hour after birth, 56.0% reported that they practice exclusive breastfeeding, while only 30.9% of the mothers exclusively breastfed their baby for the first 4-6 months of life. Two out of every five babies were introduced to complementary feeding before the first three months of life, while 72% introduced complementary feeding before 6 months of birth. The rate of exclusive breastfeeding dropped by 21.6% from maternal monthly income of ₦70,000 to less than ₦30,000. All the maternal occupations had exclusive breastfeeding rate above 50%, except civil servants and farmers that had 48.7% and 33.3%, respectively.

Conclusions: The study observed a low exclusive breastfeeding rate as influenced by maternal workload, poverty, poor initiation of breastfeeding, and early introduction of complementary feeding.

Funding Sources: This study received no external funding.