Assessment of Maternal Knowledge on Exclusive Breastfeeding and Nutritional Status of Infants (0-6 months) in Ilorin South, Nigeria
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Date
2026-07
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
CENTRE FOR INTERNALISATION AND STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP (CISP), University Of Ilorin, Nigeria
Abstract
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.
Description
Keywords
Exclusive breastfeeding, Nutritional status, Maternal knowledge, Infants
Citation
Exclusive breastfeeding, Nutritional status, Maternal knowledge, Infants.