Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Exclusive Breastfeeding among Women Attending Ante Natal Clinic at Federal Medical Center Gusau, Northwestern Nigeria

Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) continues to be one of the most effective and cost-efficient interventions which can help lower infant mortality, infant malnutrition, infant growth and health risk to the mother. Despite international recommendations for exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life, other factors, such as sociocultural beliefs, low levels of women's education, early marriage, and intramural factors, are influencing the introduction of complementary foods during the first 6 months of life in some parts of SSA, including Northern Nigeria. The objectives of this study were to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding exclusive breastfeeding among pregnant women attending the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Gusau, north-western Nigeria, and to determine the factors associated with optimal breastfeeding practices. The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study involving 428 antenatal women, selected by systematic random sampling. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data, which were analyzed using SPSS version 27. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square and Pearson correlation analysis and Multivariable logistic regression with 5% level of significance were the statistical tools used. The total percentage of respondents who knew the principles of exclusive breastfeeding was 77.3%, while the percentage with a positive attitude towards the practice was 79.2%. A total 69.6% of these planned to breastfeed for 6 months exclusively. Positive attitude (AOR = 4.28, 95% CI: 2.49–7.34), good knowledge (AOR = 3.12, 95% CI: 1.88–5.19), previous EBF experience (AOR = 2.67, 95% CI: 1.58–4.49), higher educational attainment (AOR = 2.21, 95% CI: 1.31–3.74), adequate antenatal attendance (AOR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.12–3.18), and multiparity (AOR = 1.76, 95% CI: 1.04–2.97) were significant predictors of good EBF practice (p < 0.05). The level of knowledge and attitude of the respondents was comparatively high for exclusive breastfeeding, but there are still some gaps in practices. Culturally adapted breastfeeding education and family- and community-centred breastfeeding support programmes could positively affect the uptake of exclusive breastfeeding and the adoption of breastfeeding to improve maternal and child health outcomes in Northwestern Nigeria.