Knowledge, Practice and Socio-Cultural Factors Influencing Exclusive Breastfeeding among Mothers in Usugbenu Community, Irrua, Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for the first six months is one of the most effective interventions for infant survival, yet EBF rates in Nigeria remain below recommended levels, and evidence from rural communities in Edo State is limited. This study assessed maternal knowledge and practice of EBF, the perceived socio-cultural factors influencing it, and the factors associated with knowledge and practice among mothers in Usugbenu Community, Irrua, Edo State. A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 390 mothers of children aged 0–24 months selected by multistage sampling (response rate 98.2%). Data were collected with an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire and analyzed with descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression in SPSS version 27. Overall, 32.0% of mothers had good knowledge of EBF, 47.0% moderate and 21.0% poor knowledge. The weakest knowledge item concerned the effect of giving water before six months (59.0% correct). Only 56.4% reported exclusively breastfeeding for six months; 32.1% gave liquids other than breast milk, 25.6% gave water and 20.5% introduced complementary foods before six months, although 77.0% had a high overall practice score. Socio-cultural factors were strongly endorsed (grand mean 3.7 of 4), led by family encouragement, traditional beliefs, financial constraints and religious leaders. High practice rose from 46.3% among mothers with poor knowledge to 91.2% among those with good knowledge (χ² = 59.16, df = 2, p < .001). Tertiary education, antenatal care attendance, receiving EBF information during antenatal care and health workers as the main information source independently predicted both good knowledge and high practice. Maternal knowledge of EBF in this community is moderate and uneven, and it is closely tied to practice. Antenatal counselling that targets water-giving and involves families and religious leaders is likely to strengthen EBF.