Benefits and Perception of Exclusive Breastfeeding as Family Planning Method among Nursing Mothers Attending Post-Natal Clinic in Primary Healthcare Centres in South-South Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Exclusive breastfeeding is an economically cheap, a yet crucial health practice which provides optimal nutrition for infants and short-term contraception for the mothers. The aim of this study was to assess the awareness and perception of exclusive breastfeeding as a method of family planning among nursing mothers in Ovia, Edo State, Nigeria and to identify factors that influence its perception which is vital to ensuring improved maternal and child health.
Methods: A cross-sectional study design was adopted involving 290 nursing mothers selected using a multi-stage sampling technique. Data was collected through structured, self-administered questionnaire adapted from previous studies. Data analyses applied descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS version 25.0, with logistic regression employed to identify significant predictors. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The majority (76.9%) of the respondents had knowlege of exclusive breastfeeding, about half (47.2%) were familiar with exclusive breastfeeding as a form of family planning method but only 15.2% strongly perceived exclusive breastfeeding as a good method of family planning. Age and occupation were significant predictor, with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.291 (p=0.001, CI=0.156-0.542) and occupation (p=0,041, CI=0.026-0.931) respectively.
Conclusion: The study revealed that although knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding as a method of family planning was high among nursing mothers in Ovia, their perception was poor. The findings emphasize the need to ensure healthcare providers are equipped with the necessary knowledge and tools to effectively educate nursing mothers about exclusive breastfeeding as a method of family planning.