IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MEDICAL EVALUATION AND PHYSICAL REPORT (IJMEPR )

E-ISSN 2579-0498
P-ISSN 2695-2181
VOL. 9 NO. 4 2025
DOI: 10.56201/ijmepr.v9.no4.2025.pg18.34

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Attitude and Practice of Exclusive Breastfeeding (EB) Among Rural Women in Farming Communities of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Emmanuel Edet Umoh, Unyime Robson Etuk, Ini A. Akpabio, and Emmanuel Monday Archibong

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Abstract

The study examined the attitude and practice of exclusive breastfeeding (EB) among rural women in farming communities of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, with the aim of describing their socio-economic characteristics, examining their awareness, identifying sources of information, assessing their attitudes, and determining the perceived benefits of EB. Using a multi-stage sampling technique, 124 respondents were selected across six farming communities in three LGAs, with data collected via structured face-to-face interviews. Descriptive statistics showed that the majority of the respondents were aged 31–40 years (54.0%), predominantly Christian (96.8%), and highly educated, with 80.6% having tertiary education. Private employment (35.5%) was the most common occupation, and most respondents were married (91.9%) and experienced mothers (68.5%). The findings revealed that 75.57% of the women had high awareness of EB, with strong knowledge of its role in reducing nutrition-related diseases (Mean = 2.32) and its preventive health benefits for infants (Mean = 2.31). Health institutions (Mean = 3.50), friends (Mean = 3.50), and social media (Mean = 3.45) emerged as the major sources of EB information. Attitudinally, respondents agreed that maternal age affects EB capability (Mean = 3.52) and acknowledged that EB may prevent pregnancy (Mean = 3.50), while rejecting negative misconceptions such as EB causing pain or cancer (Mean = 1.78). Key benefits cited included improved child immunity, maternal health recovery, and economic savings. The study concluded that while awareness and attitude toward EB are generally high among rural women in farming communities, there are still areas requiring deeper sensitization, especially regarding misconceptions and the adequacy of EB for infants less than six months. Based on these findings, it was recommended that targeted, community-based health education programs be intensified through trusted healt

keywords:

Exclusive Breastfeeding, Attitude, Practice, Awareness, Rural Women, Farming

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