ABSTRACT
This study looked into pregnant women who went to an antenatal clinic in a rural community’s awareness and perceptions of exclusive breastfeeding as a birth control approach. The study looked at the level of antenatal class attendance among women in rural areas, the level of awareness of exclusive breastfeeding as a birth control method among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in rural communities, and the level of accuracy of this method of birth control among women in rural areas. The survey descriptive research design was used in this study. The survey yielded a total of 77 valid replies. Bulatao and Lee’s (1983) fertility decision-making model, as well as the health Belief Model and the Health Promotion Model, were used in the study (Becker, 1974). The findings revealed that pregnant women in rural areas attend prenatal classes at a modest rate, based on the responses collected and analyzed. Furthermore, pregnant women in rural communities who frequent antenatal clinics are well aware of the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding as a birth prevention approach. According to the study, rural women should be educated on the advantages of exclusive breastfeeding. Rural women, in particular, should be enlightened on the advantages of attending antenatal classes.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Breastfeeding is the process of feeding an infant’s milk, either directly from the mother’s nipple to the baby’s mouth or by expressed breast milk. Colostrum, which is the first yellowish and sticky milk produced from the mother’s breasts from 37 weeks of pregnancy to about seven days after delivery, and mature milk, which is whitish in color and produced efficiently from around the tenth day following delivery, are the two forms of breast milk (Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative. 2014).
Clinicians may be aware of the importance of breast feeding for infant health in developing countries, but they may be unaware of the potential long-term health benefits for mothers and newborns in affluent countries, particularly in relation to obesity, blood pressure, cholesterol, and cancer, according to Bartick, & Reinhold, (2010).
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends six months of exclusive breast feeding (no water, other fluids, or meals) followed by two years of complementary breast feeding. This approach has been accepted by governments in Nigeria, the United Kingdom, and elsewhere, but it poses a substantial challenge for nations like Nigeria and the United States, where breast-feeding rates have been low for decades and can appear remarkably resistant to change (Bartick, et al 2010).
Adequate nutrition is essential for children’s healthy growth, health, and development during infancy and early childhood. Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for an infant, and breastfeeding has been proven to be beneficial to both the mother and the child on a global scale.
Breast milk is necessary for a newborn’s health and well-being. Breast-fed babies grow quicker, have fewer illnesses, and die at a younger age than non-breast-fed babies (John, 2005). Breastfeeding is a natural method of infant feeding that can be done in two ways: exclusively or partially, with the latter being the more common. Nonetheless, the most absolute and appropriate design with the largest domino effect is exclusivity. However, a healthy mental, emotional, and physical partnership between the mother and her newborn is essential for the intended outcome (Narzary, 2009).
Breastfeeding stimulates uterine involution and, as a result, the mother’s uterine tone recovers quickly. It strengthens the bond between mother and child. It is cost-effective, which is critical in today’s world. This latter effect also benefits the infant by lowering the likelihood of the kid being displaced from the breast by a subsequent pregnancy. In many impoverished countries, weaning meals are woefully inadequate, and children who are weaned too early are at risk of developing protein-calorie shortages like kwashiorkor1 and marasmus, which cause overall debilitation, slowed development, wasting, and, in some cases, death. In locations where medical services are poor or non-existent, children who are breastfed have a higher chance of survival than those who are not (Otoide, et al 2001).
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
Breastfeeding is the most natural way for humans (mammals) to feed their babies, and it is their primary source of sustenance for the first few months of their lives (World Health Organisation 2018b). Furthermore, research has indicated that exclusive breastfeeding for six (6) months is the most effective method of newborn nutrition, and that it should be continued even if the child eats supplemental foods beyond that.
Recently, there has been a concerted effort to encourage “Exclusive Breastfeeding,” which has resulted in a huge rise in breastfeeding expertise. Hospitals and health centers have the ability to educate pregnant and nursing mothers about the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding and how to make it a reality.
People commonly seek information on useful pharmaceutical products to aid in their health and well-being (Wang, & Cao, 2019). Antenatal classes (both traditional and digital) are one of the most important sources of information for the general public on women’s reproductive health. Several studies have demonstrated the importance of prenatal classes, and most women agree.
However, some women, particularly in rural regions, are unable to attend these seminars. Most rural women have been unable to attend antenatal classes due to barriers such as a lack of transportation and, in some cases, a lack of awareness of the need of these programs. In addition, most women in rural regions are unaware that exclusive breastfeeding can be used as a form of birth prevention. As a result, the researcher plans to analyze pregnant women who frequent antenatal clinics in rural communities’ awareness and perceptions of exclusive breastfeeding as a birth prevention approach.
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The primary goal of this study is to look into pregnant women’s awareness and perceptions of exclusive breastfeeding as a birth control approach at antenatal clinics in rural areas. This research aims to do the following, but is not limited to:
To find out how many women in rural areas attend antenatal classes.
Examine the amount of knowledge about exclusive breastfeeding as a birth control approach among pregnant women attending prenatal clinics in remote communities.
Examine the level of precision with which this method of birth control is used by women in rural areas.
To see if women in rural areas use alternative forms of birth control.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
In rural locations, what percentage of pregnant women attend antenatal classes?
To what extent are pregnant women in rural communities who frequent prenatal clinics aware of exclusive breastfeeding as a birth control method?
What is the accuracy of this method of birth control among rural women?
Do women in rural regions utilize other birth control methods?
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The value of antenatal classes will be shown in this study, which will be extremely valuable to the health industry. This study will be important for pregnant women, particularly first-time mothers, because it will highlight the importance of exclusive breastfeeding, prenatal classes, and family planning.
This research will also benefit researchers and students because it will provide current material for future research and reference.
SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The focus of this study will be on pregnant women attending prenatal clinics in rural communities’ awareness and perceptions of exclusive breastfeeding as a birth control approach. It will also look into the amount of awareness and accuracy of this kind of birth control among rural women, as well as if they utilize other forms of birth control.
Women from the Ibeno LGA will be registered as participants in this study.
LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
The scope of this study will be confined to pregnant women attending prenatal clinics in rural communities who are aware of and believe in exclusive breastfeeding as a birth control approach. It will also be confined to analyzing the amount of awareness and accuracy of this technique of birth control among rural women, as well as determining whether or not they utilize alternative forms of birth control.
Women from the Ibeno LGA will be registered as participants in this study. This serves as a dividing line for this research.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Awareness refers to one’s understanding or perception of a situation or truth.
Exclusive Nursing: When a newborn obtains exclusively breast milk, this is referred to as exclusive breastfeeding.
Birth control, often known as contraception, anticonception, and fertility control, is a method or technology for preventing pregnancy. Birth control has been utilized since ancient times, but only in the twentieth century did effective and safe birth control methods become available.
Antenatal Clinic: It is provided in the form of medical checkups, which include recommendations on how to live a healthy lifestyle and medical information such as maternal physiological changes in pregnancy, biological changes, and prenatal nutrition, including prenatal vitamins, which helps to prevent potential health problems and promotes the health of both the mother and the child throughout the pregnancy.
Leave a Comment