Browsing by Author "Ezeneche, O. R."

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    Information sources and adoption of exclusive breastfeeding by rural mothers in Anambra state, South-eastern Nigeria
    (Communication Studies Forum (CSF) Department of Mass Communication, Faculty of Arts, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 2016) Ezeneche, O. R.; Onyechi, N. J.
    The rate of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) remains very low in Nigeria, especially in rural areas, in spite of the spread of information on exclusive breastfeeding. Scholars have identified that adequate information about breastfeeding from information sources can enhance knowledge, attitude and practice among nursing mothers in rural communities. Although previous studies have focused mostly on adoption of EBF, no known studies have been carried out in relation to information sources and EBF among women in Anambra State, South-Eastern Nigeria. This study therefore investigated the influence of information sources on adoption of EBF among nursing mothers in Anambra State, Nigeria. A mixed mode cross sectional survey design was employed in carrying out the study among 211 respondents and 24 discussants comprising women with infants not more than 6 months and residing in the study communities. The results show that health officials (45.5%), radio (32.7%) and television (6.2%) were the main information sources through which respondents were exposed to EBF information. The findings also revealed that EBF practice was very low (25.6%) amdng the mothers and that health officials, faith- based organization (church) and friends were the sources of information that had significant influence on the mothers' adoption of EBF. Information from the FGD also revealed that certain factors act as barriers to the adoption of exclusive breastfeeding among the respondents. They include, among others, cultural beliefs and practices, the belief that breast milk is not enough, financial status, influence of mother, mothers-in-law and other family members and lack of knowledge about the harmful effects of suboptimal breastfeeding. The study established that, although health officials, radio and television are the main sources through which the nursing mothers receive EBF information, EBF information from community-based information sources are more effective in influencing rural nursing mothers to adopt EBF than the mass media. Also, certain factors hinder the adoption of exclusive breastfeeding. Hence, relevant organizations/agencies should utilize community-based information sources more than the mass media to increase the adoption of exclusive breastfeeding. Importantly, efforts should be made at addressing the barriers to the adoption of exclusive breastfeeding.
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    Information sources as predictors of knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding among nursing mothers in Anambra South Eastern Nigeria
    (Faculty of Arts, University of Uyo, Nigeria, 2019) Onyechi, N. J.; Ezeneche, O. R.
    Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF) practice has become global phenomenon considered gold standard for optimal infant health care. Variations in proportions of women adopting appropriate breastfeeding practices have been observed and these are important from a medical perspective, as individual's decisions on breastfeeding have implications for infant health. Aware that poor knowledge of EBF has been linked to its non-adoption, this study investigated influence of information sources on knowledge of EBF among nursing mothers in Anambra State, South-Eastern Nigeria. Information Processing Theory provided the theoretical underpin while survey and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) were employed as research designs. Two hundred and eleven systematically selected nursing mothers responded to the questionnaire while 24 purposively selected discussants took part in the FGD. Finding revealed that health personnel (HP) especially nurses were major information sources on EBF practices. Pearson's correlation analysis showed a significant relationship between mass media (specifically radio, billboards/posters) and nursing mothers' knowledge of EBF. Stakeholders in health sector, including Federal and State governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), donor agencies and other health planners involved in health campaign, are advised to adopt radio as a channel of communication especially in rural communities where knowledge of EBF needs to be scaled up.