ABSTRACT

This study was aimed at ascertaining the views of women from Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria on their choice to feed their infants artificial milk. Descriptive cross-section design was used. A total sample size of 172 women was used for the study. A self-developed structured questionnaire with reliability of 89.5 was used for data collection. The data obtained from the questionnaire were subjected to descriptive and Chi-square(X2) statistics testing at 0.05 level of significance. Major findings of the study revealed that the knowledge of breastfeeding was generally high among the mothers. The findings also indicated that, despite most mothers’ viewed breastfeeding as the optimal feeding method, a substantial proportion of them considered bottle feeding to be more convenient, less tiring and more nutritious than breast feeding. The  majority of the mothers (96.5%) were of the view that it is easier to bottle feed than to breastfeed, some of the mothers (40.7%) believed that bottle feeding is just as good as breast feeding while some (53.5%) viewed artificial milk as a factor that enables bonding with the baby’s father.  Most of the mothers (62.2%) viewed artificial milk feeding as to be for the well-being of the mother and baby while a substantial number of the mothers ( 70.9%) were of the view that artificial milk feeding is about ones commitment to choice. Significant  statistical relationship  (X2 Cal < 0.05) was found between factors affecting exclusive breast feeding practices and mothers view on their choice of feeding infants with artificial milk. Also significant statistical relationship (X2 Cal < 0.05) was observed between mother’s knowledge of infant feeding practices and their view on the choice of feeding infants with artificial milk. It was therefore recommended amongst others that counselors, medical and paramedical personnel should educate and enlighten mothers on the physiology and management of lactation. Suggestions for further studies were also made.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE            i

CERTIFICATION           ii

DEDICATION          iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS           iv

ABSTRACT          v

TABLE OF CONTENTS         vii

LIST OF TABLES          ix

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study 

1.2 Statement of problem

1.3 Purpose of study

1.4 Specific objectives

1.5 Research questions 

1.6 Research hypothesis

1.7 Scope of study

1.8 Significant of the study

1.9    Limitations of the study

1.10 Operational definitions

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW 

2.1 Conceptual review 

2.1.1 Feeding choices: professionals’ influences

2.1.2 Baby friendly hospitals 

2.1.3 Artificial milk feeding

2.1.4 The science behind artificial milk formula

2.1.5 The benefits of breastfeeding

2.1.6 Factors influencing a mother's decision on her infant feeding method 

2.2 Review of empirical studies

2.2.1 Mother’s knowledge and practice of breastfeeding

2.2.2 Breast feeding practices among mothers

2.2.3 Artificial milk-feeding women's views of their feeding choice

2.3 Theoretical framework

2.3.1 The socialist feminism theory

2.3.2 Application to the study

2.4 Summary of literature review

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHOD

3.1 Research design

3.2 Research setting

3.3. Population of the study

3.4. Sample size and sampling technique

3.4.1 Sample

3.4.2 Sampling Technique

3.5.Instrument for data collection

3.5.1 Validity of instrument

3.5.2 Reliability of the instrument

3.6. Procedure for data collection

3.7. Ethical consideration

3.8. Data analysis

CHAPTER FOUR: PRESENTATION OF RESULTS

4.1. Demographic characteristics of respondents 

Research question one

Research question two

Research question three

4.5 Testing of hypothesis

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS, IMPLICATIONS, SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Discussion of findings

5.1.1. Knowledge and understanding of infant feeding practices

5.1.2. Factors affecting exclusive breast feeding practices among mothers

5.1.3. Mothers view on the choice of feeding their infants with artificial milk

5.1.4. Relationship between factors affecting exclusive breast feeding practices and mothers view on their feeding choice

5.1.5. Relationship between the mother’s knowledge of infant feeding practices and their 

view on the choice of feeding infants

5.2 Implications of the study

5.3. Summary

5.4. Conclusion

5.5. Recommendation

5.5. Suggestions for further research.

REFERENCES

APPENDICES

LIST OF TABLES

 Table 1: Socio-Demographic data of respondents (n= 172)

Table 2: Mothers Knowledge and understanding of infant feeding practices (n= 172)

Table 3: Mothers responses on factors affecting exclusive breast feeding (n = 172)

Table 4: Mothers view of choice of feeding infants with artificial milk (n= 172)

Table 5: Summary of Chi-square test Result for Hypothesis 1.

Table 6: Summary of Chi-square test Result for Hypothesis 2.