Table of Contents
DECLARATION ........................................................................................................................ i
APPROVAL .............................................................................................................................. ii
ACKOWLEDGEMENT ........................................................................................................... iii
DEDICATION.......................................................................................................................... iv
LIST OF TABLES.................................................................................................................. viii
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS.................................................................................................... ix
LIST OF OPERATIONAL DEFINITION...................................................................................x
ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................................. xi
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION..........................................................................................1
1.0 Introduction .......................................................................................................................1
1.1 Background .......................................................................................................................1
1.2 Problem statement .............................................................................................................2
1.3 Justification of the study ....................................................................................................3
1.4 Objectives of the study.......................................................................................................3
1.4.1 General objective.........................................................................................................3
1.4.2 Specific objectives.......................................................................................................3
1.5 Research Questions............................................................................................................4
1.6 Conception framework.......................................................................................................5
1.7 Scope of the study..............................................................................................................6
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW...............................................................................7
2.0 Introduction .......................................................................................................................7
2.1 Prevalence of EBF among women worldwide ....................................................................7
2.2 Knowledge and attitude of mothers towards Exclusive Breast feeding. ..............................8
CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY...................................................................................10
3.0 General Introduction ........................................................................................................10
3.1 Study Design ...................................................................................................................10
3.2 Study area........................................................................................................................10
3.3 Study population..............................................................................................................10
3.3.1 Inclusion criteria........................................................................................................10
3.3.2 Exclusion criteria.......................................................................................................10
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3.4 Sample size determination ...............................................................................................10
3.5 Sampling procedure .........................................................................................................10
3.6 Study variables ................................................................................................................11
3.6.1 Dependent variable....................................................................................................11
3.6.2 Independent variable .................................................................................................11
3.7 Data collection and management......................................................................................11
3.8 Data analysis....................................................................................................................11
3.9 Ethical considerations......................................................................................................11
3.10 Limitations of the study .................................................................................................11
CHAPTER FOUR: FINDINGS OF THE STUDY.....................................................................12
4.0 Introduction .....................................................................................................................12
4.1 Demographic characteristics of study participants attending postnatal clinic of KIU-TH,
Bushenyi District...................................................................................................................12
4.2 Prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding among respondents attending postnatal clinic of KIUTH.........................................................................................................................................13
4.2.1 Exclusive breast feeding practice among respondents attending post natal clinic of KIUTH, Bushenyi District. .......................................................................................................13
4.2.2 Comparison of socio-demographic characteristics and EBF practice among respondents
attending postnatal clinic of KIU-TH, Bushenyi District........................................................14
4.3 Knowledge about exclusive breast feeding among respondents attending postnatal clinic of
KIU-TH.................................................................................................................................15
4.4 Attitude towards Exclusive Breast Feeding among respondents attending postnatal clinic of
KIU-TH.................................................................................................................................16
CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS..................18
5.0 Introduction .....................................................................................................................18
5.1 Prevalence of EBF among women attending postnatal clinic of KIU-TH. ........................18
5.2 Knowledge about exclusive breast feeding among respondents attending postnatal clinic of
KIU-TH.................................................................................................................................18
5.3 Attitude towards Exclusive Breast Feeding among respondents attending postnatal clinic of
KIU-TH.................................................................................................................................19
CONCLUSION.........................................................................................................................20
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES........................................................................................20
RECOMMENDATIONS ..........................................................................................................20
References ................................................................................................................................21
ABSTRACT Introduction: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the practice of exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months, in addition to its continuation with the addition of supplementary foods until 2 years or more (World Health Organization, 2008). Aim: To assess the level of knowledge and attitude of mothers towards exclusive breast-feeding at postnatal clinic of Kampala International University –Teaching Hospital, Bushenyi District. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study design. Results: According to the findings of this study, the biggest number of respondents 38(44.19%) were in the age bracket of 26-30 years, 44(51.16%) were Banyankore by tribe, 65(75.58%) were married, 49(56.98%) were employed while only a third reported not to have attended formal education. The prevalence of EBF among women in this study was (55.17%) and the practice was found more among those aged between 26-30 (47.37%) and 31-35 (53.33%), Baganda (80.00%), Banyoro (62.50%), single women (52.38%), non-employed (72.97%) and those who never attended formal education. Nearly half of the respondents 48.26% had knowledge about exclusive breast feeding while majority of women in this study (54.53%) had a negative attitude towards EBF where 91.86% of the women believed that EBF causes the breasts to become flat, while 22.09% believed that EBF causes respiratory tract infections for the baby and 67.44% of the women were comfortable with extra feeding other than breast milk for a child less than 6 months. Conclusion: The prevalence of EBF among women in this study was low and the practice was found more among those aged above 26 years, Baganda and Banyoro, single women, nonemployed and those who never attended formal education. On average, nearly half of the respondents had knowledge about exclusive breast feeding while majority of women in this study had a negative attitude towards EBF. Recommendations: Increased sensitization of mothers through health education talks at the health facilities. In addition, similar studies should also be carried but covering larger sample sizes.
