Knowledge and beliefs about exclusive breastfeeding among rural Nigerian men in Enugu, Southeast Nigeria.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated the knowledge, beliefs, and attitude of rural Nigerian men to exclusive breastfeeding.


METHODS
A sample of 200 men drawn from a rural community in Enugu, Nigeria was studied.


RESULTS
One hundred fifty-four (82.4%) respondents had heard of exclusive breastfeeding. Only 29.9% knew the correct time for initiation of exclusive breastfeeding, while 30.5% believed that breastmilk alone was sufficient for the first 6 months of life of an infant. One hundred six (56.7%) accept the practice of exclusive breastfeeding, while 38.5% accepted that colostrum is safe for a child. Reasons for rejecting colostrum were chiefly because it is perceived as poisonous, dirty milk and culturally unacceptable. Educational status and age significantly affected knowledge and acceptance of exclusive breastfeeding among the respondents.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a critical need to target men for intensive breastfeeding education.
Aniebue
P N
PN
Department of Community Medicine, Univeristy of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enigu, Nigeria. naniebue@yahoo.com
Aniebue
U U
UU
Adimora
G N
GN
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology*; D004522:Educational Status; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008571:Men / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D012424:Rural Population; D055815:Young Adult