Barriers and Facilitators to the Practice of Exclusive Breast Feeding Among Working Class Mothers: A Study of Female Resident doctors in Tertiary Health Institutions in Plateau State

Abstract

Health care workers are important in the promotion, protection and support of breast feeding. Their ability to do this may be influenced by their knowledge, personal experiences and work. The occupational status of women can be a significant barrier or facilitator to the practice of breastfeeding. A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted in all the tertiary health institutions in Plateau state among the female resident doctors between 14th January to 30th January 2013 to assess their knowledge and practice of EBF. Forty-seven female resident doctors in all the tertiary health institution in Plateau state participated in the study. All (100.0%) had good knowledge of EBF, (61.7%) indicated some medical reasons contradicting EBF, of this, (55.2%) to babies of HIV positive mothers. Twenty-nine practiced EBF. Failure to, about (62%) was due to resumption of work and family support/longer maternity leave and provision of crèches at places of work were most mentioned as potent motivators to EBF. Conducive atmosphere should be created at the work place to encourage the female professional to practice EBF on their children as they encourage other mothers to do same.