Challenges of exclusive breastfeeding among working class women in Vwang community, JOS south local government area, Plateau state, Nigeria

Abstract

Breastfeeding exclusively provides a wide range of physical and psychological short- and long-term health advantages for women and their children. This research evaluated working-class women's awareness of and difficulties with exclusive breastfeeding in Vwang Community, Jos South Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria. A survey research design was used for the study where questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection, 150 working class women in Vwang community were sampled at random for the study. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics. According to the results, 130 (87%) of respondents are aware that exclusive breastfeeding lasts for six months and entails the infant only consuming breast milk. 130 (87%) do practice exclusive breast feeding, 145 (96.70/0) start breast feeding at birth of a child, 134, 100 (66.7%) do not have additional food to their baby 's food. 70 (47%) have limited time to practice exclusive breastfeeding due to their job, 77 (51%) have medical conditions that doesn’t ' allow them to exclusively breastfeed their children, 143 (95%) do not view exclusive breastfeeding as a cultural taboo, 142 (95%) of the respondents' religious practices don't affects their practice of exclusive breastfeeding. Conclusion: working class women in Vwang community; Have knowledge on exclusive breast feeding and are faced with job interference and other medical conditions as challenges of exclusive breast feeding. The study recommended that the Government should ensure more information being disseminated on the subject matter and encouraging working class women to practice exclusive breast feeding more. Government and other employers should implement maternity leaves to enable working women have enable space after birth to practice exclusive breastfeeding.