Abstract: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life for optimal growth, development and health of children. However exclusive breastfeeding among the mothers have remained low. Therefore, the study was conducted to investigate the influence of socio-demographic factors on exclusive breastfeeding practices in Turbo Constituency. Specifically it seeks to assess the influence of culture on exclusive breastfeeding in Turbo constituency. The study adopted anex-post facto research design. A target population of 2000 mothers with infants 0- 6 months and 10 medical health workers working in the Mother and Child Clinic in Turbo Sub County hospitals. Simple random sampling technique was adopted to select a sample of 330 mothers and census approach was employed in which all the 10 health workers were allowed to participate in the study. Questionnaire and interview schedule were used as data collection techniques. Construct and face to face techniques were employed to validate the data collection techniques. Test retest technique was employed to test the reliability of the data collection instruments. Data collected was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics was analyzed in frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations. Chi-square statistics was adopted to test the null hypothesis. The findings showed that there was a negative and significant relationship between cultural practices and exclusive breastfeeding of infants aged 0-6 months. Therefore, the study recommended that negative cultural practices such as giving of herbs and misconception that colostrum is poisonous to infants should be avoided. The study also recommended that family life programs should be promoted across Turbo Constituency to educate mothers on the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for their infants.
Keywords: Socio-Demographic Factors, Exclusive Breastfeeding and Infants.
Title: INFLUENCE OF SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS ON EXCLUSIVE BREAST-FEEDING OF INFANTS AGE 0-6 MONTHS IN TURBO CONSTITUENCY, UASIN-GISHU COUNTY, KENYA
Author: Jacquelene Jelagat Kebenei, Jennifer K. Munyua, Shadrack Ogoma
International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research
ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online)
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