Impact of Exclusive Breastfeeding Among Children Between 0-2years Old (a Case Study in Gwale Local Government Area Kano State)
CHAPTER ONE
Objective of the study
The following objectives will be ascertained the study;
- To ascertain the advantages of exclusive breastfeeding in Gwale local government area of Kano state
- To find out the problems which hinder the practice of breastfeeding among mothers in Gwale local government area of Kano state
- To find out feeding difficulties which infants encounter in Gwale local government area off Kano state
- To ascertain how health is exclusive breastfeeding among children 0-2years old
CHAPTER TWO
Related literature review
Breastfeeding practices
The determinants of children’s growth include genetic potentialities, family size, lifestyle, socio-economic environment, infections, nutrition and the availability of medical care. However, nutrition is the most prominent factor which can either directly or indirectly influences children’s future development. For instance, those children who are malnourished and manage to survive do not enjoy a good health and experience impaired development in the long run. Along, there is a rising concern about overweight and obesity in children. Therefore, proper nutrition and nurturing during the early years of life is crucial for an infant to achieve optimal health and well-being. Hence, there is no more precious gift in infancy than breastfeeding. “Breastfeeding is an unequalled way of providing ideal food for the healthy growth and development of infants; it is also an integral part of the reproductive process with important implications for the health of mother. Saha et al. reported that the current recommendations of WHO and UNICEF on breastfeeding are as follows:
Initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour after the birth
- Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months
- Continued breastfeeding for two years or more and proper introduction of solid foods starting in the sixth month which are nutritionally safe and adequate
Breastfeeding
Exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months has many benefits for the infant and mother. Chief among these is protection against gastrointestinal infections which is observed not only in developing but also industrialized countries. Early initiation of breastfeeding, within 1 hour of birth, protects the newborn from acquiring infections and reduces newborn mortality. The risk of mortality due to diarrhoea and other infections can increase in infants who are either partially breastfed or not breastfed at all.
Breast-milk is also an important source of energy and nutrients in children aged 6–23 months. It can provide half or more of a child’s energy needs between the ages of 6 and 12 months, and one third of energy needs between 12 and 24 months. Breast milk is also a critical source of energy and nutrients during illness, and reduces mortality among children who are malnourished.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design
The researcher used descriptive research survey design in building up this project work the choice of this research design was considered appropriate because of its advantages of identifying attributes of a large population from a group of individuals. The design was suitable for the study as the study sought to examine impact of exclusive breastfeeding among children of 0-2years.
Sources of data collection
Data were collected from two main sources namely:
- Primary source and
- Secondary source
Primary source:
These are materials of statistical investigation which were collected by the research for a particular purpose. They can be obtained through a survey, observation questionnaire or as experiment; the researcher has adopted the questionnaire method for this study.
Secondary source:
These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as byproducts of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
Population of the study
Population of a study is a group of persons or aggregate items, things the researcher is interested in gathering information relevant to the impact of exclusive breastfeeding among children of 0-2years. Selected 100 health workers and 100 nursing mother in Gwale local government area Kano state was selected randomly by the researcher as the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION OF DATA
One hundred and sixty (160) questionnaires were distributed and one hundred and forty (133) were returned. This figure was the sample size. Out of the one hundred and thirty-three, only one hundred and twenty (120) were properly responded to. As a result, the researcher used one hundred and twenty for this study when more than 50% of the respondents agree to the questions, the answer is taken as valid for the purpose of this study. In analyzing the data, the approach that will be adopted is to find out the percentage and positive and negative answers to the question posed.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain Impact of exclusive breastfeeding among children between 0-2years old (A case study in Gwale local government area Kano state). In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenge of exclusive breastfeeding among children between 0-2years old
Summary
This study was on Impact of exclusive breastfeeding among children between 0-2years old (A case study in Gwale local government area Kano state). Three objectives were raised which included: To ascertain the advantages of exclusive breastfeeding in Gwale local government area of Kano state, to find out the problems which hinder the practice of breastfeeding among mothers in Gwale local government area of Kano state, to find out feeding difficulties which infants encounter in Gwale local government area off Kano state and to ascertain how health is exclusive breastfeeding among children 0-2years old. In line with these objectives, two research hypotheses were formulated and two null hypotheses were posited. The total population for the study is 100 health workers and 100 nursing mothers. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made up of health workers and nursing mothers. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies
Conclusion
Breastfeeding is the gold standard of infant feeding up to 6 months. It remains the most cost effective way for reducing the risk of diseases such as obesity, hypertension, eczema, type diabetes among others in later life as well as mortality. Breast engorgement, sore nipples, milk insufficiency and availability of various infant formulas are the main factors which influence breastfeeding practice in terms of initiation, exclusivity and duration. On the other hand, complementary foods in terms of nutrient-dense are normally introduced around 4 to 6 months. Difficulties encountered during the weaning process are often refusal to eat followed by vomiting, colic, allergic reactions and diarrhoea. Given related problems associated with breastfeeding, it is highly likely that in the future, nutrigenomics (or nutrigenetics) based research will provide opportunities towards personalized modification of breast milk for optimum health of neonates
Recommendation
Should be a seminar to educate nursing mothers of Gwale local government area off Kano state to know the benefit of exclusive breastfeeding and risk involve when not
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