Thesis Abstract

Breastfeeding is a critical public health intervention that has numerous benefits for the mother and child. Despite the known advantages of breastfeeding, global rates remain below the recommended levels, especially in low and middle-income countries. Primary health centers play a crucial role in promoting and supporting breastfeeding among mothers. This research project focuses on examining the effectiveness of breastfeeding promotion strategies in primary health centers. The study aims to evaluate current practices, identify challenges, and propose recommendations for improving breastfeeding rates in these healthcare settings. The research methodology will involve a mixed-methods approach, including surveys, interviews, and focus group discussions with healthcare providers and mothers. By obtaining insights from both healthcare professionals and beneficiaries, a comprehensive understanding of the existing breastfeeding promotion strategies will be achieved. The findings from this study will provide valuable information on the barriers and facilitators to successful breastfeeding promotion in primary health centers. It is expected that factors such as lack of training among healthcare providers, cultural beliefs, and inadequate support systems may emerge as significant challenges that need to be addressed. Recommendations generated from this research will focus on enhancing healthcare provider training on breastfeeding support, increasing community awareness through educational campaigns, and establishing breastfeeding-friendly environments within primary health centers. These strategies aim to create a conducive and supportive atmosphere for mothers to initiate and sustain breastfeeding. The implications of this study are significant for public health policy and practice. By improving breastfeeding promotion in primary health centers, there is potential to increase breastfeeding rates, leading to better health outcomes for both mothers and infants. This research contributes to the existing literature on breastfeeding promotion and provides practical recommendations for healthcare providers and policymakers to enhance breastfeeding support services in primary care settings. In conclusion, this research project addresses a crucial aspect of maternal and child health by focusing on breastfeeding promotion in primary health centers. By evaluating current practices and identifying areas for improvement, this study aims to contribute to the global effort to increase breastfeeding rates and promote the well-being of mothers and infants.

Thesis Overview

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY

Breast feeding promotion plays a significant role in the well being of nursing mother and their children. There have been so many benefits from breast feeding for nursing mothers and their child; for mothers the benefits include decreased risk of ovarian and breast cancers, potential reduced risk of postpartum depression, and potential contribution to weight loss (return to pre-pregnancy weight). Financial benefits for the family in the infant’s first year of life include savings up to $1500 in formula cost (Haroon et al., 2013). Decreased incidence of illness in the first year also contributes to significant cost savings to the family.

According to (Eidelman & Schanler, 2012; USDHHS-3, 2011) stated that the estimated cost savings in the U.S. if 90% of families exclusively breastfed for six months is 13 billion dollars related to health care costs.

Common barriers for mothers to initiate or continue breastfeeding include lack of experience or understanding, lack of support, including from family and employers, inadequate support with troubleshooting, lack of up-to-date information from health care providers, and hospital practices that fail to promote breastfeeding (Brown, Raynor, & Lee, 2011; USDHHS-1, 2011).

According to (Taveras et al., 2003) stated that provider support has shown to increase breastfeeding initiations and continuance rates.

Primary care providers can improve breastfeeding rates through the implementation of several interventions including the following: time-specific education guidelines; presentation of breastfeeding as the rule or norm, not the exception in infant feeding; maintain up-to-date education and skills related to breastfeeding promotion; providing resources to support breastfeeding mothers; and creating follow-up protocols for the clinic to support women to start and continue breastfeeding (Eidelman & Schanler, 2012; USDHHS-4, 2011).

A systematic review of the literature completed by Haroon, Das, Salam, Imdad, & Bhutta (2013) showed that breastfeeding promotion interventions not only significantly increased rates of exclusive breastfeeding, but also decreased the rate of those not breastfeeding at all. The study in this regard wishes to carry out an examination of breast feeding promotion using the primary health center as the case study.

1.2 STATEMENT OF RESEARCH PROBLEM

What really instigated the study breast feeding promotion in primary health center was due to the increase in the rate of malnitrition among young children.

Many women fail to initiate breastfeeding, while many others struggle to continue breastfeeding exclusively for six months of the infant’s life, or continue partial breastfeeding for 12 months or longer. The mothers and infants who fail at breastfeeding, for various reasons, fail to profit from health and economic benefits that last for decades (Eidelman & Schanler, 2012). Healthy People 2020 set a goal for 81.9% of mothers to initiate breastfeeding, 60.6% to be breastfeeding any amount at six months (25.5% exclusively), and 34.1% breastfeeding at one year. Current recommendations are for exclusive breastfeeding until six months, and then continued breastfeeding until 12 months. In the United States (US), the current data on the prevalence of breastfeeding shows only 74% of women initiate breastfeeding, only 43.5% are still breastfeeding at six months (only 14.1% exclusively), and 22.7% are breastfeeding at one year (USDHHS-1, 2011). In order to improve the health of our communities and our nation, breastfeeding needs to be a priority, and providers need to have the education and confidence to address breastfeeding with their patients. Most literature has been carried out on breast feeding but no research has been carried out on breast feeding promotion in health center in Nigeria.

1.3 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF STUDY

The main aim of the research work is to examine breast feeding promotion in primary health center. Other specific objectives of study include:

1.   To determine the effect of breast feeding promotion on the knowledge attitude of nursing mother on the breast feeding

2.   To examine the role of breast feeding promotion on the well being of children

3.   To investigate on the factors affecting the promotion of breast feeding in primary health centers

4.   To determine the relationship between media and primary health center in the promotion of breast feeding in Nigeria

5.   To proffer solution to the above stated problems

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives of the study. The research questions for the study are stated below as follows:

1.   What is the effect of breast feeding promotion on the knowledge attitude of nursing mother on the breast feeding?

2.   What are the roles of breast feeding promotion on the well being of children?

3.   What are the factors affecting the promotion of breast feeding in primary health centers?

4.   What is the relationship between media and primary health center in the promotion of breast feeding in Nigeria?

1.5 STATEMENT OF RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

H0: There is no significant relationship between media and primary health center in the promotion of breast feeding in Nigeria

H1: There is significant relationship between media and primary health center in the promotion of breast feeding in Nigeria

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

The study on promotion of breast feeding in primary health center will be of immense benefit the ministry of health education, the primary health centers in Nigeria, the Nigerian societies, the nursing mothers and other researchers that wishes to carryout similar research on the above topic as the study will teach nursing mothers the benefit of breast feeding; the study will also trigger the campaign for the promotion of breast feeding by the federal government of Nigeria. Finally the study will educate the primary health center on the various strategies on breast feeding promotion.

1.7 SCOPE OF STUDY

The study on promotion of breast feeding is limitd to the primary health center alone in Nigeria; the study will cover the benefit of breast feeding, promotion of breast feeding by the federal government of Nigeria and the various strategies on breast feeding promotion

1.8 LIMITATION OF STUDY

Financial constraint– Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint– The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work

1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Enlighten:To give (someone) greater knowledge and understanding about a subject or situation

BREAST FEEDING:  is the normal way of providing young infants with the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development from breast milk.