WORKPLACE DETERMINANTS OF EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING PRACTICES AMONG MOTHERS IN EKITI STATE, NIGERIA

Breastfeeding remains one of the most effective, natural, and sustainable strategies for promoting child survival, growth, and maternal health. Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) during the first six months of life provides infants with the essential nutrients and immunological protection required for optimal development, while also reducing the risk of childhood morbidity and mortality. In line with global recommendations, the World Health Organization (WHO) advocates for six months of EBF, followed by continued breastfeeding alongside appropriate complementary feeding up to two years of age or beyond.In Nigeria, several national policies and programs have been developed to strengthen breastfeeding practices. These include the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) introduced in 1992, the National Breastfeeding Policy in 1998, the National Policy on Food and Nutrition in 2001, and the Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) Policy in 2005. Collectively, these initiatives aim to operationalize international commitments such as the Innocenti Declaration, while fostering enabling environments for optimal infant feeding practices across the country.Despite these policy efforts, exclusive breastfeeding rates in Nigeria remain suboptimal, with significant regional and occupational variations. Maternal employment, workplace conditions, and socioeconomic factors often influence adherence to recommended practices. In states such as Ekiti, where diverse occupations place varying demands on mothers, understanding the occupational influences on exclusive breastfeeding is critical. Examining these factors will not only highlight barriers but also provide evidence to inform workplace-friendly breastfeeding interventions, strengthen policy implementation, and enhance maternal and child health outcomes.This study, therefore, seeks to assess occupational influences on exclusive breastfeeding among mothers in Ekiti State, Nigeria. The findings are expected to contribute to the body of knowledge on maternal and child health, inform advocacy for supportive workplace policies, and align local practices with global breastfeeding goals.