BREASTFEEDING KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES AMONG MOTHERS IN AMANSIE DISTRICT, GHANA

Background: Breastfeeding is a pillar of infant health and development, offering the best nutrition, immune protective effects, and emotional attachment. Through global advocacy, the exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is still below the optimal rates in Sub-Saharan Africa. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of mothers are important to enhance the outcomes of breastfeeding. The objective of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of breastfeeding amongst mothers in a Maternal and Child Health (MCH) hospital in Kumasi, Ghana. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 120 mothers with infants at the age of 0-24 months old who were visiting postnatal and child welfare clinics. A structured pretested questionnaire covering sociodemographic, breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes and practices was used to collect data. Findings were summarized using descriptive statistics including frequency and percentages. Results: The majority of the mothers (78.3%) identified that infants are to be exclusively breastfed during six months, and 90.4% said that they have been given breastfeeding information by health-providing institutions. The attitudes towards breastfeeding were positive: 98.3% of participants thought that it is vital to the health of infants, and all of them found it more helpful than the formula feeding. But it was only among 52.5% that exclusive breastfeeding was practiced. Conclusion: Despite the overall positive attitude towards and understanding of breastfeeding, there is a lack of knowledge and performance. Specific interventions such as lactation counselling, community-based support, involvement of partners and work-based policies are suggested to increase exclusive breastfeeding practices.