Factors influencing breastfeeding preparedness among primigravidae attending antenatal clinic, at university of Port Harcourt teaching hospital, Rivers state, Nigeria

摘要

Background: This is a descriptive survey to determine the factors influencing breast feeding preparedness among primigravidae attending ante natal clinic at University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. Three objectives and one hypothesis were formulated to guide the study. Methods: A purposive sampling technique was used to select 108 respondents for the study. The instrument used for data collection was a self-structured questionnaire. The validity of the instrument was ascertained while the reliability confirmed through test- re-test which yielded a coefficient of 0.99 which was considered appropriate. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics while relationship was tested using inferential statistics and results presented in tables. Results: Findings revealed that only 4 (14.3%) aged between 24-29 years were ''well prepared'' to breast feed their babies; others were either ''fairly or poorly prepared''. Breastfeeding preparedness was also observed to be associated with maternal occupation. The findings showed that the unemployed and petty traders ranked highest in being well prepared, 8.3% and 12.5% respectively as compared to their counterparts. Also, result of the study revealed that preparedness is higher among women that had secondary and tertiary education, 61.6% and 50.1% respectively. Conclusions: Based on these findings it was recommended among others that midwives should be involved in appropriate education of expectant mothers especially new ones to help improve breastfeeding preparedness among them; women should be engaged in occupation that allow them enough time to breastfeed and employers should make adequate provisions for breastfeeding mothers in order to encourage them.