Merit Research Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences (ISSN: 2354-323X) Vol. 11(2) pp.

059-067, February, 2023

Available online http://www.meritresearchjournals.org/mms/index.htm
Copyright © 2023 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.7677477

Original Research Article

Awareness and Perception on Exclusive Breastfeeding

as a Birth Control Method among Pregnant Women
Attending Antenatal Clinic in Rural Communities
1
Omole O. R., 2Iwuoha E. C., 3Okeh D. U., 2Ejikem P. I., 4Otuka O. A. I., 5Ezirim E. O., 4Abali I.
O., 6Chikezie K., 7Eweputanna L. I. and 8*Airaodion A. I.
Abstract
1
Department of Community Health This study was carried out to examine the awareness and perception of
Nursing, West African College of exclusive breastfeeding as a birth control method among pregnant women
Nursing and Midwifery, Lagos State, attending antenatal clinics in rural communities. One hundred and sixty-six
Nigeria pregnant women attending antenatal care in six public health facilities in
2 Surulere local government area of Oyo State were used in this study. A
Department of Community Medicine,
Abia State University Teaching questionnaire with five sections was administered and collected from them.
Hospital, Aba, Nigeria However, only 154 were valid due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate
responses to some questionnaires. These 154 questionnaires were validated
3
Department of Community Medicine, and analysed using SPSS. The study revealed that 27.92% of the
Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, respondents were between the age categories of 25-30 years. Majority of
Abia State, Nigeria the respondents (83.12%) are married. Most of the respondents (92.86%) did
4 not go beyond secondary school. This shows that a vast majority of the
Department of Surgery, Abia State respondents are not well educated. It can be seen that 47.20% and 29.87%,
University, Uturu, Nigeria
of the respondents are traders and farmers respectively. Also, 85.71% have
5
Department of Obstetrics and heard of exclusive breastfeeding. While 72.08% of them believed that breast
Gynecology, Abia State University, milk alone is enough for an infant during their first 6 months of life.
Uturu, Nigeria Furthermore, 57.79% of the respondents are aware that exclusive
breastfeeding is a birth control method, but 67.53% did not agree that
6
Department of Haematology, Federal exclusive breastfeeding is a birth control method. Similarly, 53.25% of the
Medical Centre, Umuahia, Abia State, respondents said that exclusive breastfeeding is not an accurate birth
Nigeria. control method, and 63.64% said women in the rural areas use other types
7 of birth control with condom as the most used birth control method. The
Department of Radiology, Abia State
University Uturu, Nigeria awareness on exclusive breastfeeding as a method of birth control is high
among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in rural communities but
8
Department of Biochemistry, Federal its practice is low. This may be due to the misconceptions that individuals
University of Technology, Owerri, Imo still have about various forms of contraception, and education on these
State, Nigeria methods may be what is needed to dispel myths and explain the truths or
facts underlying these various forms of contraception.
*Corresponding Author's E-mail:
[email protected] Keywords: Antenatal Clinic, Birth Control Method, Exclusive Breastfeeding,
Tel.: +2347030204212
Pregnant Women

INTRODUCTION

Breastfeeding is the act of giving a newborn their mouth or by expressed breast milk. The two types of
mother's milk, either directly from their nipple to their breast milk include mature milk, which is whitish in colour
060 Merit Res. J. Med. Med. Sci.

and produced successfully starting around the tenth day During the first few months of life, humans (mammals)
after delivery, and colostrum, the first milk produced from should exclusively nurse their newborns to meet the
the mother's breasts from 37 weeks of gestation until majority of their nutritional demands (WHO, 2012). Also,
around seven days after delivery (Baby-Friendly Hospital studies have shown that exclusive breastfeeding is the
Initiative. 2014). healthiest way to sustain a newborn for the first six
Physicians are aware of the value of nursing for baby months and should be continued even if the child
health in developing countries, but they may be ignorant subsequently eats additional foods.
of the long-term health advantages for mothers and Recent powerful "Exclusive Breastfeeding" advocacy
babies in developed countries, particularly in regard to campaigns have raised breastfeeding awareness
obesity, blood pressure, cholesterol, and cancer, significantly. Hospitals and other medical facilities are
according to Bartick and Reinhold (2010). The World best equipped to educate expecting and nursing women
Health Organization (WHO) suggests two years of on the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding as well as the
supplemental breastfeeding after six months of exclusive steps to take to make it a reality. Individuals usually look
breastfeeding (only breast milk for six months; no other for information about useful pharmaceutical products to
liquids, meals, or water) (WHO, 2012). Governments in aid in improving their health and wellbeing (Wangand
Nigeria, the United Kingdom, and other nations have Cao, 2019). One of the most crucial places for the
endorsed this suggestion, but it also presents a serious general public to learn about women's reproductive
problem for nations like Nigeria and the United States, health is antenatal classes, both traditional and online.
where breastfeeding rates have been low for decades The importance of prenatal classes has been
and sometimes seem amazingly resistant to change demonstrated in several studies, and most women agree.
(Bartick and Reinhold, 2010). Some women, particularly those who live in rural
For babies and young children to have maximum regions, might not have access to these seminars,
growth, health, and development, proper nutrition is nevertheless. Most rural women have been unable to
essential. The healthiest food source for a baby is attend antenatal classes due to obstacles such a lack of
regarded to be breast milk, and both mother and child transportation and, for others, a lack of understanding of
benefit from breastfeeding on a global scale. Newborn their significance. Also, few women in rural regions are
newborns' health and wellbeing depend on breast milk. aware that exclusively nursing can be used as a form of
Infants who are breastfed grow more quickly, are pregnancy control. The study's goal is to find out how
healthier, and die less frequently than those who are not pregnant women who frequent prenatal clinics in rural
(Ajayi et al., 2011). Infant feeding naturally occurs areas feel about using exclusive breastfeeding as a
through two main techniques: exclusive breastfeeding means of pregnancy prevention.
and partial breastfeeding, with the latter being the more
common. Since exclusivity has the greatest domino
effect, it is the purest and most suitable design. But for RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
the desired result, the mother and her infant must
function well together on a cerebral, emotional, and Study area
physical level (Narzary, 2009).
Breastfeeding stimulates uterine involution, which has The study was conducted in Surulere local government
the effect of hastening the mother's uterine tone recovery. area (LGA) of Oyo State. The LGA was created on
th
It helps to strengthen the mother-child bond. It is 11 may, 1989 when the former ogbomoso local
convenient and economical, both of which are essential government was broken into three autonomous local
in the Third World. Finally, nursing delays the recovery of government areas namely, Ogbomoso, Surulere and
normal ovarian function due to the prolactin-raising effect OgoOluwa. The local government shares boundaries
of nipple stimulation, lengthening the interval between with Ifelodun and Orolu Local government of Osun State,
births (Otoide et al., 2001). Asa local government in Kwara State and Orire,
By lowering the possibility that a subsequent Ogbomoso North and South local governments, of Oyo
pregnancy may remove the child from the breast, the State (Ogunleye et al., 2010).
latter effect is equally advantageous to the infant. In With its administrative headquarter located at
many underdeveloped countries, weaning meals are Iresaadu, a town on kilometer 15 along the trunk B
woefully inadequate, and young children who are weaned Ogbomoso-Ikirun Road, Surulere local government
run the risk of developing various protein-calorie consists of about 260 communities. Amongst them are
shortages including kwashiorkor and marasmus, which Iresaadu, Oko, Iresa-apa, Iregba, Orileigbon, Gambari,
can lead to general weakness, halted development, Gbede, Ajase, Iwofin, Arolu, Ilajue, Bade-oba, Baayaoje,
wasting, and, in rare cases, death. When there are little Mayin and Iware. The history of the various communities
or no medical services available, breastfed children have within the local government is typical of settlement in
a higher chance of surviving than bottle-fed ones (Otoide Yoruba land where the people were either driven by the
et al., 2001). propensity to run away from the rampaging wars of the
 Omole et al. 061

time or as a result of the love or impetus to retain their into five sections; the first sought demographic or
identity, culture and to preserve their historical origin personal information from respondents, followed by the
elsewhere or through the Urge to look for genera respondents’ level of knowledge of pregnant women on
pasture, strategic location or sheer love of adventures exclusive breastfeeding, perceptions of pregnant women
among others. Thus, have emerged over the ages town in rural communities towards exclusive breastfeeding, as
and village of today which have been expanding well as the awareness and perception on exclusive
gradually through the labour of their heaves past and breastfeeding as a birth control method in rural
better the lots of people. It occupies an area of about 975 communities in line with the objectives of the study.
2
km and by the 2006 population census, Surulere Local Participants have to tick the appropriate box in the
Government is inhabited by 142,070 people, a figure column to respond. The responses were analysed using
which, today has moved closer to 200,000 (Ogunleyeet SPSS (version 21) and results summarized with
al., 2010). frequency tables.

Research Design Ethical Consideration

For this investigation, the researcher employed a survey The Department's Project Committee gave its approval to
research design. This is so because a sampling of the study. All participants provided informed consent prior
people's thoughts and points of view is part of the study's to their inclusion in the study. The required authorities
design. This study looked at how pregnant women who were contacted to obtain approval for the study. The day
attended antenatal clinics in rural areas felt about using that would be used to visit the study locations and
exclusive breastfeeding as a means of birth prevention. distribute the questionnaire was planned in advance.
Pregnant women in the Surulere local government area
of Oyo State were selected to be the study's population
(LGA). A study sample is only a selective segment of the RESULTS
population from which conclusions are drawn.
Essentially, it is the part of a whole that best represents A total of One hundred and sixty-six (166) questionnaires
the total and exhibits characteristics that are similar to were administered to respondents of which only one
those of the whole. The researcher employed a useful hundred and fifty-four (154) were valid. This was due to
sampling approach to estimate the sample size for this irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to
investigation. The researcher conveniently chose 166 some questionnaires. These 154 questionnaires were
pregnant women from six health facilities (4 basic health validated for the analysis.
centres and 2 general hospitals) out of the total The results for the demographic distribution of the
population of pregnant women in Surulere LGA of Oyo respondents as presented in Table 1 revealed that
State as the sample size for this study. According to 27.92% of the respondents were between the age
Omole (2023), a sample of convenience is one in which categories of 25-30 years, 24.03% of the respondents
elements were selected from the target population based were between the ages of 20 and 24years, and the least
on their accessibility or convenience to the researcher. age category was 7.79% of the respondents (below
The health facilities used for this study are: Gambari 20years). Majority of the respondents (83.12%) were
Primary Health Centre in Gambari, Baale Oba Primary married. Only 43.51 of the respondents completed
Health Centre in Ilajue, Iresaapa Primary Health Centre secondary school. It can be seen that 47.20% of the
in Iresaapa, Iregba Primary Health Centre in Iregba, respondents were traders while those that were farmers,
Iresadu General Hospital in Iresadu and General civil servants and housewives constituted 29.87%,
Hospital, Oko 14.29% and 8.44% respectively. In the same vein, the
classification of the respondents according to their
communities revealed that 26.62% of the respondents
Method of Data Collection are from Iresaadu, (the LGA headquarters) while others
are from Oko (22.73%), Iresaapa (15.58%), Gambari
In this study, the research tool used was a questionnaire. (13.64%), Ilajue (12.34%) and Iregba (9.09%).
The validity of the research tool was determined. The Table 2 presents the analysis on the level of
Pearson Correlation Coefficient was used to evaluate the knowledge of pregnant women on exclusive
instrument's dependability. The study instrument was breastfeeding. It was shown that 132of the respondents
reasonably reliable, as evidenced by its co-efficient value representing 85.71% have heard of exclusive
of 0.68. According to Omole (2023), a suitable breastfeeding. Out of the 154 valid questionnaires, 97 of
dependability ranges from 0.67 to 0.87. The online survey the respondents representing 62.99% knew the correct
that was available to the registered participants included meaning of exclusive breastfeeding while 78 (50.65%) of
several questions in it. The questionnaire was divided the respondents believed that a baby should be
062 Merit Res. J. Med. Med. Sci.

Table 1. Demographic distribution of respondents

Demographic information Frequency Percentage (%)

Age (in years)
Below 20 12 7.79
20-24 37 24.03
25-30 43 27.92
31-35 35 22.73
Above 35 27 17.53
Marital Status
Single 20 12.99
Married 128 83.12
Separated 0 0
Widowed 6 3.90
Level of Education
None 18 11.69
Primary 58 37.66
Secondary 67 43.51
Tertiary 11 7.14
Occupation
Housewife 13 8.44
Farming 46 29.87
Trading 73 47.20
Civil servant 22 14.29
Community
Iresadu 41 26.62
Gambari 21 13.64
Ilajue 19 12.34
Iresaapa 24 15.58
Oko 35 22.73
Iregba 14 9.09

Table 2. Respondents’ level of knowledge on exclusive breastfeeding

Variable Frequency (n) Percentage (%)

Have you heard of exclusive breastfeeding?
Yes 132 85.71
No 22 14.29
What do you understand by exclusive breastfeeding
Feeding the baby with breast milk and water only 32 20.78
Feeding the baby with breast milk only 97 62.99
Feeding the baby with breast milk, pap and water 14 9.09
Feeding the baby with breast milk, formula and water 10 6.49
Feeding the baby with breast milk, water and indomie 1 0.65
When should a baby be breastfed?
Morning, afternoon and night 44 28.57
On demand 78 50.65
Only when crying 18 11.69
At night 14 9.09
Discarding of the first milk or colostrum is the best practice?
Yes 94 61.04
No 60 38.96
Breast milk alone is enough for an infant during the first 6 months oflife?
Yes 111 72.08
No 43 27.92
Is exclusive breastfeeding cost effective?
Yes 105 68.18
No 49 31.82
Are you going to practice exclusive breastfeeding?
Yes 89 57.79
No 65 42.21
 Omole et al. 063

Table 3. Respondent’s perception on the need to practice exclusive breastfeeding

Variable Frequency (n) Percentage (%)

Engaging in exclusive breastfeeding could lead to soreness of the breast
Strongly agree 35 22.73
Agree 97 62.99
Disagree 10 6.49
Strongly disagree 12 7.79
Not practicing exclusive breastfeeding could lead to malnutrition forthe infant
Strongly agree 25 16.23
Agree 79 51.30
Disagree 12 7.79
Strongly disagree 38 24.68
Not practicing exclusive breastfeeding could lead to poor mental health of the infant
Strongly agree 42 27.27
Agree 49 31.82
Disagree 14 9.09
Strongly disagree 49 31.82
Exclusive breastfeeding is essential for an infant to avoid obesity
Strongly agree 39 25.32
Agree 48 31.17
Disagree 12 7.79
Strongly disagree 55 35.71
Engaging in exclusive breastfeeding makes the baby weak
Strongly agree 33 21.43
Agree 25 16.23
Disagree 26 16.88
Strongly disagree 70 45.45
Not practicing exclusive breastfeeding makes the baby prone to infections and diseases
Strongly agree 51 33.12
Agree 52 33.77
Disagree 22 14.29
Strongly disagree 29 18.83

breastfed on demand. It was also shown in the analysis agreed that not practicing exclusive breastfeeding makes
that 94(61.04%) of the respondents believed that their babies prone to infections and diseases.
discarding the first milk or colostrum is the best practice The perception of the respondents on the benefits of
to do. Majority (72.08%) of the respondents believed that breastfeeding as presented in Table 4 showed that the
breast milk alone is enough for an infant during their first majority (91.56%) of the respondents agreed that their
6 months of life. More than half (68.18%) of the babies will be healthy if they practice exclusive
respondents believed that breastfeeding is cost effective, breastfeeding. Also, almost all (92.21%) of the
and 89 (57.79%) of the respondents agreed to practice respondents agreed that exclusive breastfeeding creates
exclusive breastfeeding. bonds between mother and child. It can also be seen that
The respondents’ perception of the severity of less than half (30.52%) of the respondents agreed that
exclusive breastfeeding as presented in Table 3 showed breastfeeding is a natural way of family planning. In the
that 69.48% of the respondents agreed that engaging in same vein, few (29.22%) of the respondents agreed that
exclusive breastfeeding could lead to a soreness of they will be fit and healthy mothers if they practice
breast. Also, 67.53% of the respondents agreed that not exclusive breastfeeding. More than half (64.94%) of the
practicing exclusive breastfeeding could lead to respondents agreed that exclusive breastfeeding will
malnutrition for the infant. Out of the 154 valid bring their uterus back to shape. Most (83.73%) of the
respondents, 59.09% of them agreed that not practicing respondents believed that their babies would not be
exclusive breastfeeding could lead to poor mental health exposed to certain infections if they practice exclusive
of the infant. Also, 56.49% of the respondents agreed breastfeeding. Furthermore, 75.97% of the respondents
that exclusive breastfeeding is essential for the infant to said that babies less than 6 month sold cannot survive
avoid obesity. It was observed that 37.66% of the without water.
respondents agreed that engaging in exclusive On the awareness and perception on exclusive
breastfeeding makes the babies weak while 62.33% breastfeeding as a birth control method (as presented in
disagreed. Furthermore, 66.89% of the respondents Table 5), 86 of the respondents representing 57.79% are
064 Merit Res. J. Med. Med. Sci.

Table 4. Respondents’ perception on the benefits of practicing exclusive breastfeeding

Variable Frequency (n) Percentage (%)

My baby will be healthy if I practice exclusive breastfeeding
Strongly agree 48 31.17
Agree 93 60.39
Disagree 5 3.25
Strongly disagree 8 5.19
Exclusive breastfeeding creates bonds between mother and child
Strongly agree 60 38.96
Agree 82 53.25
Disagree 8 5.19
Strongly disagree 4 2.60
Breastfeeding is a natural way of family planning
Strongly agree 18 11.69
Agree 29 18.83
Disagree 48 31.17
Strongly disagree 59 38.31
I will be a fit and healthy mother ifI practice exclusive breastfeeding
Strongly agree 20 12.99
Agree 25 16.23
Disagree 53 34.42
Strongly disagree 56 36.36
Exclusive breastfeeding brings the uterus back to shape
Strongly agree 51 33.12
Agree 49 31.82
Disagree 33 21.43
Strongly disagree 21 13.64
My baby wouldn’t be exposed to certain infections if I practice exclusive breastfeeding
Strongly agree 51 33.12
Agree 78 50.61
Disagree 15 9.74
Strongly disagree 10 6.49
Babies less than 6months cannot survive without water
Strongly agree 60 38.96
Agree 57 37.01
Disagree 32 20.80
Strongly disagree 5 3.25

Table 5. Awareness and perception on exclusive breastfeeding as a birth control method

Variable Frequency (n) Percentage (%)

Are you aware that exclusive breastfeeding is a birth control method?
Yes 89 57.79
No 65 42.21
To what level do you agree that exclusive breastfeeding is a birth control method?
Very High level 21 13.64
High level 29 18.83
Low level 56 36.36
Very low level 48 31.17
How accurate is this method of birth control among women in the rural areas?
Very accurate 35 22.73
Accurate 37 24.03
Not accurate 82 53.25
Do women in the rural areas use other types of birth control?
Yes 98 63.64
No 56 36.36
What methods of birth control do you use or commonly used in your community?
Condom 86 55.84
Diaphragm 19 12.34
Injection or Pill 38 24.68
Withdrawal method 11 7.14
 Omole et al. 065

Table 6. Analysis of knowledge and perception of exclusive breastfeeding as a birth control method

Max point on scale of measure Mean Std. Deviation Percentage (%)

Knowledge of 14 5.23 2.28 37.30
pregnant women
Perception of 108 66.24 5.23 61.12
pregnant women

aware that exclusive breastfeeding is a birth control by Chinenye-Julius et al. (2021) in Ikorodu among
method, but when asked to what level do they agree that pregnant women in which 39.1% of participants were
exclusive breastfeeding is a birth control method, 13.64% between the ages of 25 and 29. The outcome is also
of the respondents said very high level, 18.83% said high consistent with a study by Girish et al. (2013) among
level, 36.36% said low level while 31.17% of the pregnant women in Kerala, where 69.4% of participants
respondents said very low level, meaning that 67.53% did were between the ages of 18 and 30.
not agree that exclusive breastfeeding is a birth control The vast majority of participants were aware of the
method. Similarly, 53.25% of the respondents said that significance of feeding the infant on demand. According
exclusive breastfeeding is not an accurate birth control to a comparable survey, 54% of pregnant women were
method, and 63.64% said women in the rural areas use aware of demand feeding (Girish et al., 2013). About
other types of birth control. The most birth control method 92.86% of the respondents did not go beyond secondary
was condom (55.84%) followed by injection or pills education. This demonstrates that the vast majority of
(24.68%). responses are not well formally educated. This is not
surprising since the study was conducted in rural areas
where farming and petty trading are the two main
DISCUSSION industries. The majority of respondents in this study have
heard of exclusive breastfeeding. A study on knowledge
In Nigeria, breastfeeding has always been important. Its of exclusive breastfeeding by Agu and Agu, (2011)
great nutritional qualities and natural anti-infective pointed out that most women had good understanding of
capabilities have traditionally aided in newborn survival exclusive breastfeeding. In contrast, a study in Sokoto
(Adewole et al., 2002). By postponing successive State found that only 31% of mothers there had sufficient
pregnancies long enough to allow a newborn to be fed knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding (Mogre et al.,
and immune-protected by his or her breastfeeding 2016).
mother, breastfeeding's natural contraceptive impact has The vast majority of participants in this study were
also made infant survival possible. In Nigerian societies, aware of the significance of feeding the infant on
breastfeeding was accompanied by a period of demand. This is consistent with the findings of De et al.
abstention from sexual activity, which had a significant (2016), who found that a large proportion of women were
impact on child spacing (Onwuzurike BK, Uzochukwwu, aware of how to feed a baby on demand. Nonetheless,
2001). The lactational amenorrhea method (LAM), which average percentages of pregnant mothers who knew
some women choose to utilise as their method of birth about feeding the baby on demand were found in the
control after giving birth, allows breastfeeding to be used studies by Girish et al. (2013) and Chinenye-Julius et al.
as a fairly dependable birth control method under specific (2021). Also, the majority of respondents thought that a
circumstances. Several studies have shown that the baby may survive on breast milk alone for the first six
lactational amenorrhoea form of contraception, exclusive months of life. In contrast, a Dhaka study of mothers
nursing, is around 98% effective in the first six months found that only a small minority of respondents
(Okonofua et al., 2019). At two conferences, conducted exclusively breastfed their infants during the first six
at Bellagio in 1988 and 1995 and at Georgetown months of life. Also, it was found in this survey that the
University in 1989, a consensus was achieved on the majority of respondents thought it was advisable to
circumstances under which lactation would be regarded discard the first milk (colostrum). This can be a result of
as a secure means of contraception. These resulted in cultural and traditional beliefs.
the widespread acceptance of the LAM (Oye-Adeniran et The majority of those surveyed believed, according to
al., 2021). this study's findings, that a newborn may become more
The majority of respondents, according to the study's susceptible to infections and ailments if exclusive
findings, were between the ages of 25 and 30 years old, breastfeeding is not practised. According to several
which corresponds to the peak reproductive age for studies, breast milk fosters sensory and cognitive growth
females in Nigeria as determined by the 2008 National and shields the newborn from viral and chronic disorders
Demographic Health Survey (NDHS, 2009; Udigwe et al., (Chinenye-Julius et al., 2021; Kramer, 2008). The majority
2022). Similar findings were found in a study conducted of the respondents in this survey had a more favourable
066 Merit Res. J. Med. Med. Sci.

impression of the advantages of exclusive breastfeeding. and were well-versed on contraceptive alternatives. The
According to the report by Chinenye-Julius et al. (2021) prevalence of contraceptive knowledge was high and
this is accurate. The majority of respondents, universal among the respondents, with condoms and oral
according to the study's findings, thought that contraceptives being the most widely known, but only half
exclusively breastfeeding helped the uterus get back in of them had tried any form of contraception, according to
form. According to a review from 2016, breast- a study conducted in Nigeria (Ilorin), where people of
feeding exclusively would boost the mothers' high educational and socioeconomic status living in
chances of their uteruses regaining shape (Victoria et al., government housing were interviewed. It follows that
2016). improving the high rate of contraceptive use in our
The occupation of respondents also had a substantial society may not be possible through education alone
impact on the practise of exclusive breastfeeding of (NDHS, 2009; Adekunle and Otolorin, 2020). To buck the
infants, showing that the majority of the mothers who took trend, women must be made aware of the many forms of
part in this study practised it heavily because only a few contraception, as well as the misconceptions and reality
of them are civil servants. A Singaporean study found surrounding them.
that while work status had no effect on the start of According to a national study conducted in rural
breastfeeding, it did have an impact on how long it lasted Ghana, where education, occupation, economic factors,
(Ong et al., 2005). Similar results were shown in a more and marital status were the factors affecting
recent study conducted in Northwest Ethiopia by Chekol exclusive breastfeeding (Polit and Hungler, 2015),
et al. (2017). the socio-demographic characteristics, educational
As roughly 57.79% of the respondents had actually attainment, and occupation in this study are factors that
heard of it, exclusive breastfeeding as a birth control affect the knowledge and practise of exclusive
method was apparently a common practise among the breastfeeding as a birth control method. This also tends
respondents. However, the respondents' perception is to support the findings of Textor et al. (2018), who
poor because 67.53% of them did not agree that found that socio-demographic factors had an impact on
breastfeeding exclusively could be effectively utilised as a the understanding and practise of exclusive
birth control approach. The justification offered for breastfeeding.
individuals who do not use exclusive breastfeeding as a
birth control method was that they chose other safer
contraception options because some said it is not 100% CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
effective despite great awareness and understanding, as
this study's findings indicate. Only a small percentage of pregnant women who attend
Condoms were the most widely used type of antenatal clinics in rural areas actually use exclusive
contraception, followed by injections and pills. The results breastfeeding as a method of birth control. This may be
of another study similarly revealed high condom usage largely the result of misunderstandings that individuals
among young people, which had been linked to social still have about various forms of contraception, and
marketing efforts and educational campaigns for education on these methods may be what is needed to
condoms in reaction to the HIV epidemic. It appears that dispel myths and explain the truths or facts underlying
the message encouraging condom use has allayed these various forms of contraception. Therefore, there is
concerns and is paying off as intended (Oye-Adeniran et a need for aggressive, target-oriented information
al., 2021). Yet, as exclusive breastfeeding for six months dissemination using all of the available channels,
delivers a 98% contraceptive protection, the success of particularly the mass media, community opinion leaders,
breastfeeding campaigns may encourage more women to religious leaders, husbands, mothers, relatives, health
choose this technique of avoiding conception. According care professionals, and everyone else involved in
to Briggs (2019), education has been found to be a key practises that promote contraception. The goal here
factor in lowering maternal morbidity, maximising the use should be to dispel the women's misconceptions and
of current medical resources, and raising the general raise the bar for practise. In the end, this will result in the
socioeconomic standing of the population (Briggs, 2019; benefits of contraception and lessen the complications
Ozumba and Amaechi, 2022). Prior research have that can arise from having numerous children, for both
emphasised the importance of effective contraceptive use the mother and the baby.
in preventing pregnancy and improving child
spacing as a strategy of lowering complications following
unplanned pregnancy and its negative impact on the Availability of Data and Material
mother (Obiesesan et al., 2018; Oye-Adeniran et al.,,
2022). On reasonable request, the corresponding author will
In this study, all of the participants used public make the datasets used and/or analysed during this
hospitals and health centres. They had a good education study available.
 Omole et al. 067

Competing Interests 13.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-016-0071-z.

Narzary PK. (2009). “Knowledge and Use of Contraception among
The authors declare that they have no competing Currently Married Adolescent Women in India”. 3(1), Studies on
Home Community Science, 43-49.
interests.
NDHS (2009). Nigeria Demographic Health Survey 2008.Family
planning. National Population Commission, Federal Republic of
Nigeria Abuja, Nigeria.5.5.72.
Ethical Approval Obiesesan KA, Adeyemo AA, Fakokunde FA (2018). Awareness and
use of family planningmethods among married women in
This study was approved by the ethic committee. Nigeria. East Afr Med J, 20(18):35-41.
Ogunleye KY, Thomas K,Oyebade SO (2010). Marketing Extension
Needs for Sustainable Extension Practices among Cassava
Funding Farmers in Surulere Local Government Area of Oyo State. J.
Agric. Extension. 14 (1):105-113.
Okonofua FE, Odimugwu C, Ajabor H, Daru PH, John A. (2019).
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