Yakubu et al., JOBASFUD_2024_3_2_014
Keywords: Exclusive breastfeeding, women of child-bearing age, knowledge
2025-05-22 DOI: JOBASFUD_2024_3_2_014
Background: Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is essential for the optimal health of infants, yet its practice remains sub-optimal in Charanchi Local Government Area, Katsina State, Nigeria. Various factors continue to hinder its adoption among women of childbearing age (WCBA) in this region. This study aimed to investigate these factors and recommend solutions to increase the knowledge of EBF among WCBA. Methodology: A mixed-method cross-sectional study was employed to assess the knowledge of EBF among WCBA in Charanchi Local Government Area. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 315 participants. Data was collected using interviewer-administered questionnaires and key informant interviews, respectively. Bivariate analysis was used to assess the relationships between knowledge of EBF in the quantitative data, which was analyzed using IBM SPSS version 27.0, while thematic analysis was used for the qualitative data. Results: The study revealed that 87.62% of the respondents were aware of EBF, with antenatal visits being the primary source of information for 82.5% of the participants. However, only 64.8% of respondents reported comprehensive knowledge of the WHO-recommended six-month duration of EBF. Notable gaps were identified, particularly regarding the benefits of EBF for maternal health and the potential risks of early complementary feeding. Cultural misconceptions, such as the belief that breast milk alone is insufficient, were cited by 35% of the respondents. Conclusion: While awareness of EBF is relatively high among WCBA in Charanchi Local Government Area, critical gaps in comprehensive knowledge persist, influenced by cultural beliefs and limited educational outreach. Enhanced health education efforts, especially during antenatal and postnatal visits, are essential to bridge these gaps and improve EBF practices.