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ABSTRACT
Objective. To determine the knowledge, attitudes and breast feeding practices amidst COVID-19 in Tiko Health District. Methodology. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among breast feeding mothers of infants 0-24 months identified during child welfare clinic visits. Systematic random sampling was used to 384 breast feeding mothers. Self-administered questionnaires were used to assess BF knowledge attitudes and practices. Results. 385 women were included. A total of 73.8% [95% CI: 69.3 – 78.2] participants had correct knowledge on breast feeding. Most participants 92.6% believed that Exclusive breast feeding (EBF) should be practiced for six months irrespective of COVID-19. Over three-quarter of them (73.4%) supported breast feeding for up to 2 years with over 93%)[95% CI90.9 – 95.8] emphasizing that prolong breast feeding for two years promotes bonding for the mother and child. Being married and co-habiting were associated with correct knowledge on BF while being a Christian, having a low income level and hospital visits were statistically significantly associated with correct knowledge on breastfeeding. The high knowledge positively influenced breast feeding attitudes and correct breast feeding practices. The positive attitudes were statistically associated with age, education, occupation and marital status. Conclusion. Breast Feeding (BF) mothers had correct knowledge, positive attitudes and correct practices towards breast feeding. Efforts should be invested on improving maternal level of education, income and access to maternal health services in order to significantly increase breastfeeding practices and attitudes. Further studies are required quantitatively and qualitatively during peak incidence of COVID-19 pandemic.
RÉSUMÉ
Objectif. Déterminer les connaissances, les attitudes et les pratiques d'allaitement durant la COVID-19 dans le district de santé de Tiko. Méthodologie. Étude transversale descriptive menée auprès de mères allaitantes de nourrissons de 0 à 24 mois identifiés lors de visites à la clinique de protection de l'enfance. Un échantillonnage aléatoire systématique a été utilisé pour 384 mères allaitantes. Des questionnaires auto-administrés ont été utilisés pour évaluer les attitudes et les pratiques en matière de connaissance de l'AB. Résultats. Au total, 385 femmes ont été recrutées. Parmi elles, 73,8 % [IC à 95 % : 69,3 – 78,2] participantes avaient des connaissances correctes sur l'allaitement. La plupart des participants (92,6 %) pensaient que l'allaitement maternel exclusif (EBF) devrait être pratiqué pendant six mois, quel que soit le COVID-19. Plus des trois quarts d'entre eux (73,4 %) ont soutenu l'allaitement jusqu'à 2 ans avec plus de 93 % [95 % IC 90,9 – 95,8] soulignant que prolonger l'allaitement pendant deux ans favorise le lien entre la mère et l'enfant. Être marié et cohabiter étaient associés à une connaissance correcte de l'allaitement maternel tout en étant chrétien, avoir un faible niveau de revenu et les visites à l'hôpital étaient statistiquement significativement associés à une connaissance correcte de l'allaitement. Les connaissances élevées ont influencé positivement les attitudes en matière d'allaitement et les bonnes pratiques d'allaitement. Les attitudes positives étaient statistiquement associées à l'âge, à l'éducation, à la profession et à l'état matrimonial. Conclusion. Les mères allaitantes avaient des connaissances correctes, des attitudes positives et des pratiques correctes vis-à-vis de l'allaitement. Des efforts doivent être investis sur l'amélioration du niveau d'éducation, des revenus et de l'accès aux services de santé maternelle afin d'augmenter de manière significative les pratiques et les attitudes en matière d'allaitement. D'autres études sont requises quantitativement et qualitativement pendant le pic d'incidence de la pandémie de COVID-19.

Keywords

Knowledge Attitudes Practice Breast feeding COVID19. Connaissances Attitudes Pratiques Allaitement COVID19.

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How to Cite
Godlove Nkuoh, & Charlotte Ayima. (2022). Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Breastfeeding Mothers towards Breastfeeding amidst COVID-19 in Selected Child Welfare Clinics of Tiko Health District (Southwest Region- Cameroon). HEALTH SCIENCES AND DISEASE, 23(12). https://doi.org/10.5281/hsd.v23i12.4054
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