Abstract:

Introduction: Exclusive breastfeeding is a public health intervention and one of the most important strategies for improving infant survival rates. Generally, breastfeeding is practiced all over the world, though with variation in duration. This study therefore examined the level of knowledge and perception of exclusive breastfeeding among pregnant women in Ikorodu, Lagos State. Methodology: In this study, a convenience sampling method was used in selecting 174 respondents from the two selected private hospitals in Ikorodu, Lagos. The instrument for this study was a questionnaire which was well-structured and data obtained from the questionnaire was coded and then inputted into the computer. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0 was used for this analysis. Inferential statistics such as logistic regression and Pearson’s correlation test were also used to check for association. The level of significance used was 0.05. Result: The result of the study revealed that most (39.1%) of the respondents were between the ages of 25-29 years. Majority (69.5%) of the respondents were married and most (42%) of the respondents had tertiary education. Respondents’ level of knowledge measured on a 14-point rating scale showed that the respondents scored a mean of 5.22±2.28 which translated to a level of knowledge prevalence of 37.3%. Respondents’ perception measured on a 108-point rating showed that they scored a mean of 66.23±8.12 translated to perception prevalence of 61%. Conclusion: In conclusion, younger mothers practiced exclusive breastfeeding, while older mothers practiced non-exclusive breastfeeding of their babies. Mothers with a higher level of education practiced exclusive breastfeeding, while mothers with low or no educational attainment practiced non-exclusive breastfeeding of their babies.