Breastfeeding profile and practice of Nigerian mothers: a cross-sectional survey

Background: Breastfeeding patterns in the developing world are still below the recommended levels and the potential to improve child survival remains untapped. This study investigated the breastfeeding profile and practices of Nigerian nursing mothers.  Methods: This cross-sectional survey involved women at attending selected baby-friendly facilities in Ile-Ife, South-West, Nigeria who had breastfed their most recent baby for a minimum of six months. A self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain data on demographics, infant-maternal characteristics and breastfeeding practices. 383 mothers volunteered for this study, yielding a response rate of 95.7%. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics at 0.05 alpha level.Results: The mean age of the respondent was 29.0 ± 4.96 years. Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) rate was 86.2%. Breastfeeding initiation time of less than 1 hour after delivery and 24 hours rooming-in practice rate was 78.3% and 79.1% respectively. Daily breastfeeding time and total breastfeeding duration was 8.06 ± 2.33 hours and 18.3 ± 4.82 months respectively. The mean onset time for water supplementation was 4.74 ± 1.77 months with a rate of 30.3% within 1-3 months. Weaning initiation time was mostly (43.9%) within 12 to 18 month of infant’s age.  There was significant association between EBF practice and each of maternal education (X2 = 6.554; P = 0.038) and Socio-Economic Status (SES) (X2 = 19.32; P = 0.031) with most of the respondents in the lower SES (56.1%) subscribing to EBF.Conclusions: Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) rate for the first six months among Nigerian mothers attending baby-friendly clinics was high. Breastfeeding initiation time after delivery was early, water supplementation to breastfeeding was before 5 months of the infant’s life and weaning practice was late. Maternal educational level and socio-economic status significantly influenced EBF practice.

Perception knowledge and attitude of nursing students towards the care of older patients

The objectives of the study were to assess the perception, knowledge, and attitude of nursing students towards old age and care of the older adults and to examine personal characteristics that could predict their attitude.Two hundred and eighty students were systematically selected from learning institutions for nursing in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Data on perception, knowledge, and attitude were collected with the aid of a validated self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive analysis and inferential statistics were done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences.Results showed that 66.1% and 71.8% of respondents had a positive perception and attitudes towards the care of older people, respectively. It further revealed that respondents believed that nurses should be patient, cheerful and sensitive (97.2%); as well as empathetic (91.4%) when caring for the older patients. The respondents also expressed that caring for the older patients goes beyond the basic nursing care (66.1%) and 90% supported the need for a geriatric unit in the hospital. Furthermore, 60% of respondents demonstrated good knowledge of essential clinical practice in the care of older patients. There was a statistically significant association between attitude and perception (OR = 1.11; p = 0.002) and age category 20â25 (OR = 0.45; p = 0.04). However, there was no significant association between the attitude of the respondents and knowledge (Ï2 = 4.16; df = 2; p = 0.125).The study concluded that the respondents have positive perception and attitude as well as good knowledge towards the care of the older adults. These should be reinforced to enhance a better clinical outcome in the care of the older adults. Keywords: Ageing, Attitude, Knowledge, Older adults, Perceptio