MISCONCEPTIONS AND ATTITUDES TOWARDS EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING AMONG WOMEN ATTENDING CLINICS IN ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA

Uzoma Uzoma; Nwachukwu Ugwunna; Christianah Uzokwe; Chisom Uzor; Success Victor; Emmanuel Nwobi

doi:10.33457/ijhsrp.1685281

MISCONCEPTIONS AND ATTITUDES TOWARDS EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING AMONG WOMEN ATTENDING CLINICS IN ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Despite extensive evidence supporting the life-saving benefits of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), persistent misconceptions, along with cultural beliefs, personal experiences, and societal pressures, continue to shape attitudes in ways that often undermine adherence to medical recommendations. This study thus set out to identify the misconceptions and attitudes toward EBF among women attending clinics in Enugu State, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in three healthcare centers, involving 600 women aged 15 – 49 years, with at least one child over six months. A two-stage sampling method was used, and data were collected in May 2024 via self-administered questionnaires. The response rate was 72%. Common misconceptions were that breastfeeding causes saggy breasts (49.5%), pregnant women should not breastfeed (65.8%), and formula makes the baby gain weight and appear more attractive (55.5%). Many had good attitude toward EBF. In conclusion, the study highlighted a few common misconceptions about EBF similar to those seen in earlier studies, as well as a positive overall attitude. These results highlight the need for culturally sensitive educational interventions to dispel myths and strengthen breastfeeding support among Nigerian mothers.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

Ethical clearance was granted by the Health Research Ethics Committee of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla campus, Enugu State, Nigeria (ethical approval number: NHREC/05/01/2008B-FWA00002458-1RB00002323).

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Infant and Child Health, Public Health Nursing

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Uzoma Uzoma ^*
0009-0002-6457-3505
Nigeria

Nwachukwu Ugwunna
0000-0003-2292-3562
Nigeria

Christianah Uzokwe
0009-0005-5807-4488
Nigeria

Chisom Uzor
0009-0001-4199-9741
Nigeria

Success Victor
0009-0008-3337-0063
Nigeria

Emmanuel Nwobi
0000-0002-1569-8347
Nigeria

Publication Date

February 28, 2026

Submission Date

May 4, 2025

Acceptance Date

January 18, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 11 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.33457/ijhsrp.1685281

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA53JJ54WU

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Uzoma, U., Ugwunna, N., Uzokwe, C., Uzor, C., Victor, S., & Nwobi, E. (2026). MISCONCEPTIONS AND ATTITUDES TOWARDS EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING AMONG WOMEN ATTENDING CLINICS IN ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA. International Journal of Health Services Research and Policy, 11(1), 46-56. https://doi.org/10.33457/ijhsrp.1685281

AMA

1.Uzoma U, Ugwunna N, Uzokwe C, Uzor C, Victor S, Nwobi E. MISCONCEPTIONS AND ATTITUDES TOWARDS EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING AMONG WOMEN ATTENDING CLINICS IN ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA. IJHSRP. 2026;11(1):46-56. doi:10.33457/ijhsrp.1685281

Chicago

Uzoma, Uzoma, Nwachukwu Ugwunna, Christianah Uzokwe, Chisom Uzor, Success Victor, and Emmanuel Nwobi. 2026. “MISCONCEPTIONS AND ATTITUDES TOWARDS EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING AMONG WOMEN ATTENDING CLINICS IN ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA”. International Journal of Health Services Research and Policy 11 (1): 46-56. https://doi.org/10.33457/ijhsrp.1685281.

EndNote

Uzoma U, Ugwunna N, Uzokwe C, Uzor C, Victor S, Nwobi E (February 1, 2026) MISCONCEPTIONS AND ATTITUDES TOWARDS EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING AMONG WOMEN ATTENDING CLINICS IN ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA. International Journal of Health Services Research and Policy 11 1 46–56.

IEEE

[1]U. Uzoma, N. Ugwunna, C. Uzokwe, C. Uzor, S. Victor, and E. Nwobi, “MISCONCEPTIONS AND ATTITUDES TOWARDS EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING AMONG WOMEN ATTENDING CLINICS IN ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA”, IJHSRP, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 46–56, Feb. 2026, doi: 10.33457/ijhsrp.1685281.

ISNAD

Uzoma, Uzoma - Ugwunna, Nwachukwu - Uzokwe, Christianah - Uzor, Chisom - Victor, Success - Nwobi, Emmanuel. “MISCONCEPTIONS AND ATTITUDES TOWARDS EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING AMONG WOMEN ATTENDING CLINICS IN ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA”. International Journal of Health Services Research and Policy 11/1 (February 1, 2026): 46-56. https://doi.org/10.33457/ijhsrp.1685281.

JAMA

1.Uzoma U, Ugwunna N, Uzokwe C, Uzor C, Victor S, Nwobi E. MISCONCEPTIONS AND ATTITUDES TOWARDS EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING AMONG WOMEN ATTENDING CLINICS IN ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA. IJHSRP. 2026;11:46–56.

MLA

Uzoma, Uzoma, et al. “MISCONCEPTIONS AND ATTITUDES TOWARDS EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING AMONG WOMEN ATTENDING CLINICS IN ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA”. International Journal of Health Services Research and Policy, vol. 11, no. 1, Feb. 2026, pp. 46-56, doi:10.33457/ijhsrp.1685281.

Vancouver

1.Uzoma Uzoma, Nwachukwu Ugwunna, Christianah Uzokwe, Chisom Uzor, Success Victor, Emmanuel Nwobi. MISCONCEPTIONS AND ATTITUDES TOWARDS EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING AMONG WOMEN ATTENDING CLINICS IN ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA. IJHSRP. 2026 Feb. 1;11(1):46-5. doi:10.33457/ijhsrp.1685281