Authors
• Muhammad Ibrahim Danja, PhD,midanja.ims@buk.edu.ng,Department of Information and Media Studies, Bayero University, Kano
• Muhammed Salisu,muhammedsalisu78@gmail.com,Department of Mass Communication, Federal University, Lokoja
•
Abstract
Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is an important public health strategy for improving children and mother’s health by reducing child morbidity and mortality as well as healthcare costs. It is considered as one of the major strategies for preventing early childhood deaths. It is against this background that this study examined the sources of information on, and the how breastfeeding nursing mothers in Kogi State use such information on exclusive breastfeeding. Particularly, the study examined the perception of nursing mothers towards exclusive breastfeeding messages. The paper used perception theory of mass communication which enabled careful observation of the perception of subjects under investigation. A total of 381 nursing mothers were randomly sampled and administered with structured questionnaires across the three senatorial zones in the state, out of which 350 questionnaires were returned. The paper found that there was relatively fair knowledge and awareness of exclusive breast feeding by the nursing mothers in Kogi State, however, the nursing mothers in Kogi State have negative attitude towards exclusive breast-feeding messages, despite being knowledgeable about the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding, majority of them engage in mixed feeding instead of exclusive breastfeeding due to cultural, religious and economic reasons
Keywords
Public Health
Exclusive Breastfeeding
Health Communication.
