Breastfeeding Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Breastfeeding, including details on breast feeding benefits, problems, alcohol, diet.

Level of awareness of the baby friendly initiative among home economics teachers in Nigeria.

Egbuonu I, Ezechukwu CC, Chukwuka JO

Department of Pediatrics, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria.

A cross-sectional questionnaire was used to assess the level of awareness of the Baby Friendly Initiative among Home Economics teachers in Nigeria. Only 34.5 per cent of the teachers were able to define BFI as the Baby Friendly Initiative while 60 per cent defined exclusive breastfeeding correctly. Although 70.2 per cent acknowledged that breastfeeding prevents malnutrition in babies, only 12.5 per cent knew about the protective effects of colostrum. Of the study population 29.8 per cent knew that breastfeeding should be on demand and not regulated. Over 80 per cent of the teachers advocated that the BFI should be taught at all levels of education. We conclude that their knowledge of the BFI is poor and that they will require further education before they can be used effectively as resource personnel in training girls (potential mothers) in BFI.

Published 11 November 2004 in J Trop Pediatr, 50(6): 331-3.
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