Exclusive Breastfeeding Practices Among Female Healthcare Workers and Child Welfare Clinic Mothers in The Sissala East Municipality of Ghana

Abstract

Breastfeeding exclusively is beneficial not just to mothers but also to their children and society as a whole. Babies who are only given breast milk are protected against hazardous bacteria that may be found in formula and other baby meals, germs that can cause diarrhoea, other diseases, and even death. These harmful bacteria can be found in formula and other infant meals. Breast milk is the only food babies need. This research aimed to investigate exclusive breastfeeding practices among female healthcare professionals and mothers who received services at child welfare clinics in the Sissala East Municipality of Ghana. A facility-based quantitative descriptive cross-sectional design was used in this study. The study revealed that social support statistically influenced the practice of exclusive breastfeeding among the respondents. Lactating mothers whose close relatives supported them were 2.61 times more likely to practice exclusive breastfeeding than those not supported by their close relatives (COR: 2.61 (C.I: 1.26 – 5.39) P=0.010). Based on the results, conclusions were accordingly made.