A study to determine knowledge, attitudes and practice of antenatal mothers towards exclusive breast feeding in Mtendere-Lusaka.

Abstract

The main aim of the study was to determine knowledge, attitudes and practice of antenatal mothers towards exclusive breast-feeding in M'tendere - Lusaka. A sample size of fifty (50) antenatal mothers was selected from women attending antenatal care at M'tendere Health Centre. Only women residing in M'tendere catchment area and attending antenatal clinic regularly were included in the study. Literature review was based on the studies done in other countries all over the world, to try and establish the knowledge, attitudes and practice of antenatal mothers towards exclusive breast-feeding. Data was collected using a self administered questionnaire and was checked for completeness and accuracy. The data collected was analysed manually on a data master sheet. The study findings were presented in frequency tables, cross tabulation tables and figures like the pie charts and bar graphs. The study findings revealed that 94% of the respondents were knowledgeable about the benefits of exclusive breast-feeding and the main source of information was the Health Centre. The study further revealed that 40% of the respondents who were knowledgeable about the benefits of exclusive breast feeding were in the age group of 25-29 years.