Influence of Traditional Beliefs and Practices of Exclusive Breastfeeding Among Mothers Attending “Dr. Bello Buzu” Clinic, Kaura-Namoda, Zamfara State.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2026-1012-4688Keywords:
Exclusive Breastfeeding, First Thick Yellowish Milk, Formal Education, Traditional Beliefs, Small and Medium BusinessAbstract
Breastfeeding has been the natural and normal means of feeding newly born infants, for the health benefits of the babies. Descriptive research design, Yamane formula for (determine the sample size) and structured questionnaire for obtaining the information from the respondents was used. Majority of the respondents were within 18-25 years, 83% married, 96.0% Muslims, and 74 % were Hausas. 44% (majority) received no formal education and 79% engaged in small and medium business. 83%, 62%, 68%, have the knowledge 0f exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), knew its benefits and had the knowledge of EBF from Health Workers respectively. 60% are practicing it, 40% have their traditional beliefs about it, while 57.1% considered it useful. 26.0% prepared to use Water/herbs for the treatments of their babies, 74.0% prepared EBF and take their infants to the hospital for treatment. 51.3% were influenced to the feeding practice by their father/mother’s-in-law and 79.3% and 52% Practice EBF and received family supports respectively. Conclusively, there is need for mothers’ to be educated on the health benefit of EBF and cultural contexts need to be integrated into maternal and child health programs. Lastly, the key influencers such as grandmothers, spouses, and community leaders need to be considered to promote and sustained behavioral change.
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