ASSESSING THE PRACTICE OF EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING AMONG WORKING MOTHERS IN KOGI CENTRAL SENATORIAL DISTRICT, KOGI STATE

Abstract

The focus of this study was on the assessment of the practice of exclusive breastfeeding among working
mothers in Kogi Central Senatorial Zone, Kogi State. Cross-sectional survey design was used for this
study. The population of this study is 11,700 working mothers in Kogi central senatorial zone. The sample
size for this study is 1000. To achieve the stated obectives, a researcher developed questionnaire in a
closed ended form was used for data collection. Multi-stage sampling technique was used for this study.
The instrument was validated by jurors in the department of Human Kinetics and Health Education,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, simple
percentages and frequency table. The results of this study shows that working mothers in Kogi Central
Zone, Kogi state were not exclusively breastfeed their babies and also, full time employment status and
family members influence undermine the practice of exclusive breastfeeding. Therefore, on the basics of
the above findings, the study recommended that government must guarantee workplace is free of
harassment and discrimination against women who prefers to breastfeed their babies through
appropriate mechanisms.