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ABSTRACT

Over time information concerning exclusive breastfeeding has been passed to nursing mothers. This suggests that several information sources such as healthcare personnel’s or hospital attendants, family and friends, facebook, television, radio, newspaper have been used as an important source of communication to nursing mothers. The problem of this study was to investigate the influence of information source on knowledge, attitude and practice of exclusive breastfeeding among nursing mothers in Minna, Niger State.

The study employed the agenda setting theory, the social learning theory and the health belief model as foundations. It equally used the survey method, using questionnaire as research instrument. The study population consisted of nursing mothers attending postnatal care and health talks in 33 health care centers. Simple random sampling technique was used. The sample size was (N=422). All data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics which was used to discuss five research questions and five hypotheses.

The study revealed that the hospital attendants were rated the highest well known information source, while others such as facebook had the lowest rating. Television, newspaper, radio, family and friends were rated averagely. Most nursing mothers also indicated that they came across messages on exclusive breastfeeding a month and above. They also thought that there was need for improvement.The study also revealed that television, handbills, newspaper, hospital attendants, someone significantly influenced the knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding, while radio did not. All information sources except television did not influence attitude towards exclusive breastfeeding. Also handbills and newspapers did not significantly influence practice of exclusive breastfeeding, while others did.

The study concluded that other information source such as facebook, television, radio, newspaper and family and friends need to be improved upon. The study also recommended that stake holders such as government, media organisations, WHO, UNICEF, need to provide more frequent access to this exclusive breastfeeding information, that way a lot of changes can occur in the practice of exclusive breastfeeding.

Keywords: Exclusive breastfeeding, Information Sources, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice.

Word Count: 329

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Content                                                                                                                                     Page

Title Page                                                                                                                                  i

Certification                                                                                                                              ii

Dedication                                                                                                                                 iii

Acknowledgements                                                                                                                  iv

Abstract                                                                                                                                     v

Table of Contents                                                                                                                      vi

List of Tables                                                                                                                            ix

List of Figures                                                                                                                           xi

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study                                                                                                    1

1.2 Statement of the Problem                                                                                                   4

1.3Objective of the Study                                                                                                         4

1.4Research Questions                                                                                                              4

1.5 Hypotheses                                                                                                                          5

1.6Scope of the Study                                                                                                              5

1.7 Significance of the Study                                                                                                   6

1.8Operational Definition of Terms                                                                                          6

CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF LITERATURE

2.0 Introduction                                                                                                                                    8

2.1 .1Conceptual Review                                                                                                          8

2.1.2The Concept of Mass Media                                                                                             8

2.1.3 New Media                                                                                                                      15

2.1.4 Information Education Communication Materials                                                          16

2.1.5 Interpersonal Sources                                                                                                       17

2.1.6 Indigenous media                                                                                                             17

Content                                                                                                                             Page

2.1.7 Faith based organisations                                                                                         17

2.1.8 Functions of Mass Media                                                                                        19

2.2.1 Media and Society                                                                                                   19

2.2.2 Media and Maternal Health                                                                                     20

2.2.3 The Concept of Health Communication                                                                  21

2.2.4 Knowledge                                                                                                              23

2.2.5 Attitude                                                                                                                   25

2.2.6 Media and Attitudinal change                                                                                 27

2.2.7Exclusive Breastfeeding                                                                                           29

2.3 Theoretical Framework                                                                                              30

2.3.1Agenda Setting Theory                                                                                             30

2.3.2 Social learning Theory                                                                                             32

2.3.3 The Health belief Model                                                                                          33

2.4   Empirical Review                                                                                                      35

CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY

3.0 Introduction                                                                                                                45

3.1 Research Design                                                                                                         45

3.2 Population                                                                                                                   45

3.3 Samplesize and sampling Technique                                                                           49

3.4 Instrument                                                                                                                   50

3.5 Validity                                                                                                                       51

3.6 Reliability                                                                                                                    51

3.7 Administration of Research Instrument                                                                     51

3.8 Method of Data Analysis                                                                                           51

3.9 Ethical Consideration                                                                                                 52

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS, RESULTS AND

DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS

Content                                                                                                                 Page

4.0 Introduction                                                                                                                53

4.1 Presentation of Results                                                                                              53

4.2 Research Question One                                                                                              55

4.3 Research Question Two                                                                                              59

4.4 Research Question Three                                                                                            61

4.5 Research Question Four                                                                                              63

4.6 Research Question Five                                                                                              65

4.7 Test of Hypotheses                                                                                                     66

 

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Summary                                                                                                                     75

5.2 Conclusion                                                                                                                  75

5.3 Recommendations                                                                                                      76

5.4 Contribution to Knowledge                                                                                        77

5.5 Suggestion for Further Research                                                                                77

References                                                                                                                                    78

Appendix                                                                                                                          89

LIST OF TABLES

Table                                                                                                                                            Page

3.1: Distribution of PHC centres in Bosso LG                                                                            46

3.2:Bosso LG annual report of post natal cases 2016                                                                 47

3.3: Distribution of PHC centers in Chanchaga LG                                                                    48

3.4:Chanchaga annual report of post natal cases 2016                                                                48

3.5: Reliability Statistics                                                                                                              51

4.1:Demographic features of respondents                                                                                   53

4.2: Knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding                                                                                59

4.3:Attitude towards exclusive breastfeeding                                                                             61

4.4:Practice of exclusive breastfeeding                                                                                       63

4.1.5a:Model summary for the influence of marital status, religion, academic qualification,     65

age and employment status on the practice of exclusive breastfeeding

4.1.5b:Multiple Linear regression showing the influence of marital status, religion,                  65

academic qualification and employment status on the practice of

exclusive breastfeeding

4.2.1a: Model summary for the influence of  knowledge on exclusive breastfeeding                67

on attitude to exclusive breastfeeding

4.2.1b:Simple Linear regression showing the influence  of knowledge of exclusive                  67

breastfeeding on attitude to exclusive breastfeeding

4.2.2a: Model summary for the influence of knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding                 68

on practice of exclusive breastfeeding

4.2.2b: Simple linear regression showing the influence of knowledge of exclusive                   68

breastfeeding on practice of exclusive breastfeeding

4.2.3a Model summary for the influence of information sources of exclusive                           69

breastfeeding on knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding

4.2.3b Multiple linear regression showing the influence of information sources                        70

Table                                                                                                                                Page

of exclusive breastfeeding on knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding

4.2.4a: Model summary for the influence of information sources of exclusive                          71

breastfeeding on attitude of exclusive breastfeeding

4.2.4b: Multiple linear regression showing the influence of information source             71

of exclusive breastfeeding on attitude to exclusive breastfeeding.

4.2.5a :Model summary for the influence of information sources of exclusive                          72

breastfeeding on practice of exclusive breastfeeding

4.2.5b :Multiple linear regression showing the influence of information sources                       75

of exclusive breastfeeding on practice of exclusive breastfeeding

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure                                                                                                                                           Page

2.2.11 The ABC model of attitude                                                                                             26

4.1.1Sources of exclusive breastfeeding and frequency                                                             55

of getting information from sources

4.1.2 Frequency of receiving messages, frequency                                                                     57

of informative and improvement of information sources

4.3 Practice of exclusive breastfeeding by exclusive                                                                  64

breastfeeding messages

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

New born children in many African households, especially in Nigeria receive less commitment of being exclusively breastfed by their mothers. A news report stated mothers have many reasons why they do not exclusively breastfeed; one of such is twin births, myths such as fear for loss of sexual appeal, sagged breasts and fear of infecting their new born children with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).(Business Hallmark Newspaper, 2015; Sina, 2016).Other reasons that may stop mothers from exclusively breastfeeding include, that  nursing mothers did not likely continue with exclusive breastfeeding for six months, influence of loved ones like aged grandmothers affect the mother’s practice of exclusive breastfeeding. This is because they usually insist on traditional practices which include, discarding of colostrums, giving infants water, animal milk, pap, infant formula, honey, herbal preparations and also washings from quoranic inscriptions believed to be medicinal (Agunbaide & Ogunleye, 2012; Moisse, 2011; Umar & Oche, 2013). These practices can lead to an infant’s malnourished state, and may even lead to death if they are not properly managed.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) (2003), made it known that inappropriate breastfeeding practices contribute strongly to high mortality rate among children under the age of five. In the same vein, Veneman (2008) collaborated this, during the celebration of world breastfeeding week at Abuja, when she defined breastfeeding as a key tool in improving child survival in this world. She further stated that exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life can avert up to 13% 0f children under the age of five deaths in developing countries, This implies that exclusive breastfeeding to a large extent determines the health of an infant.

Nigeria demographic health survey (2008) in the view of evaluating the state of health stated Nigeria to have the highest number of stunted children in the continent and ranks third globally with more than ten million stunted children.  Alexandra (2016) said the main indicator for malnutrition is stunting. Stunting is very much prevalent in Niger state. He also stated that Niger state accounts for the prevalence of stunting as 34%, underweight at 11% and wasting at 18% in children less than five years. This means that a large percentage of children under five years have symptoms of malnourishment in Niger state. This could be as a result of not been exclusively breastfed by their mothers, since breast milk offers all the nutrients needed, malnutrition sets in when the baby is not exclusively breastfed.

An article by Summary of child survival partnership (2008), stated Nigeria as one of the six countries that account for half of all children’s death worldwide with one million children under-five dying every year.  Also, an article by Federal ministry of health saving newborn lives in Nigeria, 2011, stated that malnutrition contributes to over one third (35%) of those deaths. This implies that infants who are malnourished due to improper breastfeeding are likely to die.  This could be the reason why Niger state has under-five mortality rate at 123 per 1000 live births (Alexandra, 2016). Malnutrition is a cause of child mortality; this is in agreement with the account given by Isaiah (2015) that malnutrition is responsible for over 50% of less than five mortality rate in children and women in northern Nigeria. United Nations Children’s Fund stated that 13% of 10 million deaths of children in the 42 countries that account for 90% of child’s deaths throughout the world can be prevented by exclusively breastfeeding children for the first six months of their lives (UNICEF, 2005). In order to reduce child mortality, deliberate efforts must be put together by government to ensure mothers exclusively breastfeed their infants.

Attempts have been made by the government and WHO to ensure that infant malnutrition is limited. In relation to this is the world breastfeeding week. The week is an annual celebration which is held every year within August 1-7 in more than 120 countries. It was first celebrated in 1992 by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA). It was formed on the 14th February 1991(World Breastfeeding Week, 2010).  According to an article by Nursing World (2016) Nigeria is one of the countries that celebrate the world breastfeeding week; the week is spent campaigning, encouraging exclusive breastfeeding and also warning against risk of formula feeding. Many mothers are informed about exclusive breastfeeding through such campaigns. According to Brikins (2016), the materials distributed during this breastfeeding campaign are flyers, stickers and handbills on breastfeeding. This shows that information has been passed across to mothers concerning exclusive breastfeeding.

According to Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health (2011), exclusive breastfeeding refers to feeding babies with breast milk only, without giving them water, mixtures from local herbs or other forms of liquid and food. Drops such as vitamins, minerals supplements or medicines can however be given when they are prescribed. Furthermore exclusive breastfeeding means that the infant or newborn receives only breast milk. WHO (2016) stated that exclusive breastfeeding should therefore not be combined with any other food while it is being practiced. Exclusive breastfeeding emphasizes feeding solely with breast milk. Veneman (2008) emphasized that exclusive breastfeeding means that no other liquid or solid is fed to the infant, with the exception of medicines. The importance of exclusive breastfeeding is propagated on occasions such as world breastfeeding week. UNICEF (2015) affirmed that exclusive breastfeeding is a good influence on child nutrition. The United Nations Children Fund in Nigeria, invited journalists to Kano as part of its activities to mark “breastfeeding week”. It solicited for media assistance on ways of sensitizing authorities and other stakeholders on the crisis of child malnutrition in Nigeria. UNICEF Chief of Communication, Porter (2015) in her remark called for intensified media advocacy on child nutrition in Nigeria. Porter noted that past efforts by the media have been effective. This was said based on many media campaigns ranging from topics such as breastfeeding and childcare, women breastfeeding, the essence of exclusive of exclusive breastfeeding to new born health in Nigeria. The media and other information sources have, in electronic, print and vocal forms being used to convey the importance of exclusive breastfeeding to mothers.

Nursing mothers are continuously remembered of the importance of exclusive breastfeeding through information sources around them, one of which is the media. Since there have been few systematic, large scale media campaigns, full potential of mass media to promote breastfeeding is as yet unrealized and therefore unknown. What has been learnt is that breastfeeding promotion programs are designed to address three types of factors affecting breastfeeding practices: 1) negative public attitudes toward breastfeeding; 2) lack of knowledge of specific breastfeeding skills such as correct positioning of the baby on the breast and increasing milk production; and 3) social norms that define breastfeeding as unusual behaviour (Cynthia, 1989). This shows that for information sources campaigns to be effective they have to largely cover every breastfeeding issue and not be limited in their coverage. Cynthia (1989) stated that one of the lessons learnt about breastfeeding campaigns is that general messages proclaiming the benefits of breastfeeding are not effective since they do not address the major impediments to optimal breastfeeding practice. Successful breastfeeding programs use mass media as part of a long range promotion strategy rather than as sporadic, short lived campaigns.  A change in group norms favouring breastfeeding which some experts believe is the key factor determining breastfeeding practices cannot be achieved by a brief media campaign. Similarly, specific breastfeeding skills and advice need to be provided on a continuous basis; there are always new mothers giving birth .As the world evolves lots of issues arise concerning the practice of exclusive breastfeeding and media campaigns on exclusive breastfeeding should be able to address these issues. Joan (2016) in agreement with Cynthia noted that factors influencing exclusive breastfeeding are evolving. Years past, the public encouraged breastfeeding mothers to breastfeed their infants where ever the need arises but presently it seems uncultured to breastfeed in public places like markets, offices.

 

 

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Over time information concerning exclusive breastfeeding and its importance have been passed across to mothers through several information sources such as mass media, internet, interpersonal sources and information education materials. Exclusive breastfeeding has been noted to solve the problem of   malnutrition which is at factor influencing infant mortality as agreed by (Mde 2011; Lloyd, 2011, Save the children 2012).  Some much effort has been put in by stakeholders to see that nursing mothers adopt exclusive breastfeeding for their infants. This study found out the influence of information sources on knowledge, attitude and practice of exclusive breastfeeding amongst nursing mothers in Minna, Niger state.

1.3Objective of the Study

The main objective of this study was to investigate influence of information sources on knowledge, attitude and practice of exclusive breastfeeding amongst nursing mothers, in Minna, Niger State. The specific objectives are to:

  1. indentify the sources from which nursing mothers get information about exclusive breastfeeding;
  2. ascertain respondents knowledge on exclusive breastfeeding in Minna, Niger State;
  3. determine the attitude of respondents towards exclusive breastfeeding in Minna, Niger State;
  4. ascertain the practice of exclusive breastfeeding by respondents in Minna, Niger State;
  5. examine the influence of intervening demographic variables such as age, religion, academic qualification, employment status, marital status on the practice of exclusive breastfeeding by respondents in Minna, Niger State;
  6. determine if information sources of exclusive breastfeeding significantly influence knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding;
  7. find out if information sources of exclusive breastfeeding significantly influence attitude to exclusive breastfeeding and
  8. find out if information sources of exclusive breastfeeding significantly influence practice of exclusive breastfeeding.

1.4 Research Questions

  1. What are the sources from which nursing mothers get information on exclusive breastfeeding in Minna, Niger State?
  2. What is knowledge of respondents on exclusive breastfeeding in Minna, Niger State?
  3. What is the attitude of respondents towards exclusive breastfeeding in Minna, Niger State?
  4. What is the practice of respondents towards exclusive breastfeeding in Minna, Niger State?

 

  1. How do intervening demographic variables such as age, religion, academic qualification, employment status, marital status influence the practice of exclusive breastfeeding by respondents in Minna, Niger State?
  2. Do information sources of exclusive breastfeeding significantly influence knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding?
  3. Do information sources of exclusive breastfeeding significantly influence attitude to exclusive breastfeeding?
  4. Do information sources of exclusive breastfeeding significantly influence practice of exclusive breastfeeding?

 

1.5 Hypotheses

H01: Respondents’ attitude to exclusive breastfeeding will not be significantly influenced by their knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding got from the information sources.

H02: Respondents practice of exclusive breastfeeding will not be significantly influenced by their knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding got from these information sources.

H03: Information sources of exclusive breastfeeding do not significantly influence knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding.

H04: Information sources of exclusive breastfeeding do not significantly influence attitude to exclusive breastfeeding.

H05: Information sources of exclusive breastfeeding do not significantly influence practice of exclusive breastfeeding.

 

1.6 Scope of the Study

This study was delimited to influence of information source on knowledge, attitude and practice of exclusive breastfeeding among nursing mothers in Minna, Niger State. The study was not concerned with only the reasons why mothers do not practice exclusive breastfeeding rather it covered the influence all kinds of information source on knowledge, attitude and practice of exclusive breastfeeding amongst nursing mothers in Minna, Niger State.

The study was conducted in the capital of Niger State, from January 31, 2017 to March 31 2017. It was delimited to the capital, Minna, because it was where we could find diverse nursing mothers with different attributes such as educational status, employment status and marital status which helped the population of the study to be unbiased. There were only two local governments in the capital, which are Bosso and Chanchaga, thirty three healthcare centres in the two local governments have were selected, this was to limit the time scope of the study.

 

1.7 Significance of the Study

The contributions and outcome of this study would be of great benefits to stakeholders such as media organizations, government, healthcare systems, World Health Organizations and United Nations child’s fund. It was an evaluation of how much effort that has been put in to ensure mother adopt exclusive breastfeeding by these stakeholders. To mass media scholars, it would likely act as a guide for further studies towards influence of mass media on knowledge, attitude and practice of exclusive breastfeeding. It also enlightened media professionals on the approach most suitable for influencing mother’s knowledge, attitude and practice towards exclusive breastfeeding.

 

1.8 Operational Definition of Terms

These are some operational definition of terms in relation to this study.

  1. Influence: In this study, the term influence is used to mean power to change something in some way. The power of information sources to change exclusive breastfeeding knowledge, attitude and practice among mothers in Minna, Niger State.
  2. Information Source: In this study, the term information source is used to mean all forms of communication sources of exclusive breastfeeding. This refers to mass media, interpersonal sources, new media, pamphlets, fliers and all kinds of tools used in communicating information about exclusive breastfeeding.
  3. Knowledge: In this study the term knowledge is used to explain awareness, understanding of information concerning something. Knowledge refers to information gotten from information source about exclusive breastfeeding by nursing mothers in Minna. Knowledge here means definition of exclusive breastfeeding, the importance of exclusive breastfeeding, how to practice exclusive breastfeeding, when to practice exclusive breastfeeding (exclusive breastfeeding is to be practiced for the first six months of the infants life), and also challenges of exclusive breastfeeding.
  4. Attitude: In this study the term refers to the behaviour towards something. That is the positive and negative feelings that mothers have towards exclusive breastfeeding among nursing mothers in Minna.
  5. Practice: In this study the term, practice is used to mean continuous exercise of exclusive breastfeeding by mothers in Minna; this includes the committed or negligent practice of exclusive breastfeeding. Practice will be measured by the information sources messages that encouraged continuity of exclusive breastfeeding by nursing mothers.
  6. Exclusive breastfeeding: In this study it means infant receiving only breast milk. No other liquids or solids are given, not even water, with the exception of oral rehydration solution or drops of syrups of vitamins, minerals or medicines. In exclusive breastfeeding, the mother feeds the child with only breast milk with the exception of drugs recommended by the doctor”.
  7. Nursing mother: In this study, the term refers to women of all ages who have the ability to breastfeed and are also within the time of this study breastfeeding their infants. Nursing mothers in this study also encompasses nursing mothers who are employed or unemployed, young or old. Mothers who have lost their babies after childbirth are not included in the term “nursing mothers” for this study.

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