Browsing by Author "KAREEM Muritala Bolaji"

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    Assessment of Maternal Knowledge on Exclusive Breastfeeding and Nutritional Status of Infants (0-6 months) in Ilorin South, Nigeria
    (CENTRE FOR INTERNALISATION AND STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP (CISP), University Of Ilorin, Nigeria, 2026-07) GBADEBO Christiana Teniola; BABAYEJU Adeshola Ajoke; KAREEM Muritala Bolaji; ABDULKADIR Shakirat Odunayo; ABDULQUADIR, Ismail Ola; EGHAGHA, Precious Blessing; OYENIRAN Kehinde
    The study investigated maternal knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding and the nutritional status of infants (0-6 months) in the Ilorin South Local Government Area, Ilorin, Kwara State. Five research questions were raised, and two null hypotheses were formulated. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study, with the population comprising 2,754 lactating mothers from whom two hundred (200) were selected using multistage sampling. A structured questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection, which had a reliability coefficient of .952. Findings of the study revealed that 172 (86%) of the respondents (3.18) were aware of exclusive breastfeeding; 120 (60%) of the respondents (2.79) practised exclusive breastfeeding; and 118 infants had B.M.I. values below 18.5, indicating that they were undernourished. 140 (70%) of the respondents (2.84) agreed that maternal knowledge on exclusive breastfeeding influenced their willingness and practice of exclusive breastfeeding. There is a significant difference between the nutritional status of exclusively and non-exclusively breastfed infants (p < 0.05), and the level of maternal knowledge significantly influences exclusive breastfeeding (p < 0.05). The study concluded that a majority of breastfeeding mothers have knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding. It is recommended that lactating mothers practice exclusive breastfeeding.