Sociodemographic Correlates of Exclusive Breastfeeding Among Postpartum Mothers in ACommunity in Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is the gold standard of infant feeding practice, which has been shown to contribute significantly to the realization of some of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. This study aims to assess the socio-demographic factors associated with EBF among postpartum mothers in Offa Local Government, Kwara State. Across-sectional study design using a multi-staged sampling technique was used to select 251 mothers of infants aged 6-9 months who came for child immunization in Primary Health Care centres within Offa Local Government Area. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect the data, which was analysed using SPSS version 21. Chi-square was used to test for the association between sociodemographic characteristics and the practice of exclusive breastfeeding among respondents. P-value was set at ≤0.05. Half (50.2%) of the mothers had a good knowledge score regarding EBF, with healthcare workers (79.8%) as the major source of information. A little above average respondents (58.7%) had a poor attitude towards EBF, and about two-fifths of respondents (59.7%) were actually practicing EBF. There was a statistically significant association between knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding and its actual practice (P 0.001). Socio-cultural correlates associated with exclusive breastfeeding were tribe, religion, educational status, marital status, and occupation. This study has revealed that a mother's ability to practice exclusive breastfeeding is not solely an individual choice but is significantly influenced by key sociocultural and economic factors. Specifically, occupational demands, tribal norms, and marital structures were found to be critical determinants, highlighting that breastfeeding practices are deeply embedded within a woman's broader life context. These findings underscore the necessity of moving beyond generic educational messages to develop targeted, culturally sensitive support systems. By enacting policies that create breastfeeding-friendly workplaces, the government can empower working mothers, improve child health, and build a more productive and family inclusive workforce