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Influence Of Maternal Nutrition On The Exclusive Breastfeeding Of Infants
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An undernourished child has an
increased risk of dying from diarrhea, measles, malaria and pneumonia.
The first 1000 days of life from conception through the first two years
of life is often referred to as “window of opportunity†because of the
profound positive effect optional nutrition can have on the developing
child and due to the fact that damage during this period is often
permanent and irreversible. Human breast milk provides energy,
nutrients and trace elements that are required by infants until
weaning. During lactation, bone is mobilized and exerts influence on the
availability of these macro-elements to the mineral poll that supply
the mammary gland. Kinsara 2006, posited that human breast
milk composition is dependent on many maternal and gestational factors
ranging from stage of lactation, maternal age, maternal nutritional
status, diet, parity and gestational age. A woman’s appetite
increases during pregnancy and lactation, these results in increase in
food intake. This occurs because the energy, protein and other nutrients
in breast milk comes from the mothers’ diet or from her own body
stores, so there is need for increased food intake to compensate for the
demand of lactation. In sub-Sahara Africa, many women suffer
from chronic under-nutrition and micronutrient deficiencies and fail to
gain enough weight during pregnancy. This could be traced to the low
standard of living, unemployment and global economic recession and
failure of government at all levels to provide for its citizens basic
amenities. This has a great impact on the rate at which the young infant
is breastfed. In the present study, we will be looking at the
effects of maternal nutrition on the actualization of exclusive
breastfeeding. This research work will also be looking at other
constraints that can cause the discontinuation of exclusive
breastfeeding and also make recommendations on how to improve mothers’
adherence to the campaign on exclusive breastfeeding.Statement of the
Problem The importance of exclusive breastfeeding cannot be
overemphasized. Government at all levels and health practitioners have
embarked on various health outreaches to encourage exclusive
breastfeeding for the first six months of the infants life. However,
these intervention seems not to be yielding the desired results as there
are several maternal factors that could hinder the continuation of
exclusive breastfeeding which could range from maternal occupation,
perception, socio-economic status etc. Therefore the present study aims
at investigating the relationship between maternal nutrition, quality of
life and exclusive breastfeeding in a sample of mothers from Egor Local
Government Area of Edo State. Based on the problems, the following
research questions are asked.
1. What are the effects of maternal
nutrition on exclusive breastfeeding of infants?
2. What is the
influence of maternal socio-economic status on the practice of exclusive
breastfeeding?
3. What are the effects of maternal occupation on
the actualization of exclusive breastfeeding?
4. What is the
influence of maternal perception on exclusive breastfeeding?
Purpose of
the Study The aim of the study was to investigate the effect
of maternal nutrition on exclusive breastfeeding. The study will also
look at the influence of maternal socio-economic status, occupation and
perception on the attainment of exclusive breastfeeding. Significance of
the Study Inspite of government, Health practitioners and
non-governmental organizations effort over the years, to sensitize the
people of Egor Local Government Area through seminars, lectures,
workshops and door to door campaign on the benefits of exclusive
breastfeeding to both mother and child, little has been done in the area
of research to ascertain if this outreach is yielding desired result in
terms of attitudinal change of the people of the local government. Data
are not readily available to show progress made or otherwise. This
prompted the need for this research work. This study will also serves as
a basis for more research work on the field of study.
Scope/Delimitation The present study only deals with nursing
mothers in Egor Local Government Area and also the use of questionnaire
for data collection.
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ABSRACT - [ Total Page(s): 1 ]The researcher investigated the effects of maternal nutrition on the exclusive breastfeeding of infants in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State. The purpose of the study was to find out the effects of maternal nutrition, socio-economic status, occupation, and perception on the exclusive breastfeeding of infants in Egor Local Government Area. To guide the study, four research questions were asked namely; what are the effects of maternal nutrition on the exclusive breastfeeding of infants? What ... Continue reading---
