Masters in Public Health and Leadership (Save the Mothers)

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https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11951/1043

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Browsing Masters in Public Health and Leadership (Save the Mothers) by Author "Muthoni Ruth Mwangi"

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    Knowledge and Determinants of Exclusive Breastfeeding Among Nursing Mothers at Mbale Regional Referral Hospital(MRRH).
    (Uganda Christian University, 2024-05-22) Muthoni Ruth Mwangi
    Introduction: Exclusive breast-feeding contributes significantly to child survival and development, but many mothers in Africa do not exclusively breastfeed their infants. The study aims to identify the knowledge and determinants of Exclusive Breastfeeding among the nursing mothers in Mbale regional and Referral Hospital. Methods: A mixed methods approach was used to collect Data. Respondents included 385 Nursing mothers and 5 health practitioners. Participants were nursing mothers who attended Young Child Clinic and they were selected using simple random sampling. SPSS was used to analyze the data; chi-square test was performed to check for association between factors and outcome variables before performing logistic regression. Bivariate & Multivariable logistic regression were performed to identify factors independently associated with exclusive breastfeeding. Strength of association was measured using odds ratio, and 95% confidence interval. Results: The study gathered that the prevalence rate of EBF in Mbale Regional referral Hospital was low at 45 percent attributed to the knowledge encompassed by the mothers that accessed ANC, PNC services. The study established that majority (85.5 %) of the mothers had information about EBF and there was a significant relationship between maternal socio-demographic factors and EBF in which Beta value (Beta = 0.27, p < 0.001); and obstetric factors (Beta = 0.438, p < 0.001) and child related factors (Beta = 7.3, p < 0.001). Majority of the mothers received EBF information from ANC and PNC sessions (54.5), medical staff (26.5) friends and family (15.3) and lastly social media (3.6) although the practice was still wanting. Conclusions: This research paper has navigated the intricacies of sustainable areas to focus on to ensure Exclusively breastfeeding, shedding the pivotal role of health workers both offering Information, Education and support system as well as care and treatment of women pre and post Natal Period. Recommendations: Strengthening efforts in providing comprehensive ANC and PNC packages, to ensure that mothers get to benefit from the health education sessions offered as well as better obstetric care pre and post Natal ensuring wellness enough to breastfeed. Relentless advocating for baby friendly spaces and facilities to enable working mothers leverage on opportunities to breastfeed at work during healthy breaks.