Perceived enablers of exclusive breastfeeding by teenage mothers in Ghana

Abstract

Background: Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months can prevent diseases, boost immunity and improve quality of lives of infants. Ghana implemented programmes aimed at reaching the global target of increasing exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months to at least 50% by the year 2025. The country witnessed a decline in the overall rate of exclusive breastfeeding and an increase in the number of teenage mothers. Globally, teenage mothers are less likely to breastfeed than mothers of other age groups. Understanding enablers of exclusive breastfeeding by teenage mothers is important for any intervention aimed at improving exclusive breastfeeding rates and the quality of lives of infants.Method: The study used a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual design, with focus groups. A total of six group discussions were conducted with 30 pregnant teenagers recruited from six public hospitals.Results: Seven enablers emerged from the analysis of data. These included positive beliefs about the benefits of breast milk, family history of positive exclusive breastfeeding outcomes, support of the intimate partner, approval of closed-family members, expert opinions of antenatal care staff, teenage-oriented breastfeeding education and community-based breastfeeding education.Conclusion: Health professionals and policy makers could learn from these enablers and use them to promote exclusive breastfeeding practices amongst teenage mothers in Ghana.

Familiar but neglected: identification of gaps and recommendations to close them on exclusive breastfeeding support in health facilities in Malawi

“…Building on previous studies that recommend strengthening the knowledge base of health workers and mothers to support awareness of breastfeeding benefits throughout prenatal to postpartum periods [ 24 – 27 ], our study highlights gaps in knowledge on the management of women and neonates that have challenges to breastfeeding and explains the low scores in such neonates. These gaps have been reported earlier among primiparous women [ 28 ] teenage mothers [ 29 ] skills in expressing milk, management of breast engorgement, and painful and cracked nipples [ 30 ]. Updating the current breastfeeding training manuals with problem-based training for healthcare workers and mothers addressing the specific problematic issues would be a step towards strengthening breastfeeding practices.…”

“…This has been advocated previously by other researchers. An earlier Malawian study showed that men had low levels of knowledge on breastfeeding despite being influential household decision-makers [ 34 ] and a Ghanaian study found that partner supporter was an enabler to breastfeeding [ 29 ]. Our findings of grandmothers and aunts sometimes being a barrier to breastfeeding resonates with a Ghanaian study that reported mothers not being allowed to breastfeed especially at night because influential relatives, such as grandmothers, would not allow them [ 35 ].…”

“…Our findings of grandmothers and aunts sometimes being a barrier to breastfeeding resonates with a Ghanaian study that reported mothers not being allowed to breastfeed especially at night because influential relatives, such as grandmothers, would not allow them [ 35 ]. In addition to postpartum counselling at the health facility, family members may be empowered through community sensitization that targets problematic areas with breastfeeding and early initiation [ 18 , 29 ] and this could be done through mass media [ 36 ]. There is a need for more research on the role of mass media to promote optimal breastfeeding practices and to advocate for husbands and partners, relatives, and other community members to support breastfeeding mothers.…”

The association between paternal characteristics and exclusive breastfeeding in Ghana

“…Previous studies have established that antenatal clinics provide an opportunity for health care workers (midwives, community health nurses) to interact and educate mothers on infant feeding, the nutritional value of EBF, and challenges associated with EBF. The health education provided by health care workers during antenatal care visits increases knowledge on infant feeding and thus, enhances the practice of exclusive breastfeeding [ 52 – 54 ].…”

Acceptability of COVID-19 Vaccination among Health Care Workers in Ghana

“…People commonly rely on health care workers information and actions to guide their decision. For instance, studies have shown that health care workers counselling on exclusive breastfeeding and complementary feeding influence the practice of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers [22,23]. Against this backdrop, this study sought to assess and identify the determinants of COVID-19 acceptability among health care workers in Ghana.…”