Aims: This study explored the knowledge and attitude concerning Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF)
among young women who are apprenticed to learn hairdressing in Agbowo community, Ibadan,
Nigeria.
Study Design: The study was cross sectional in design.
Place and Duration of Study: Study was carried out in Agbowo community in Ibadan-north local
government area of Ibadan, south-western Nigeria between January 2012 and June 2012.
Methodology: Through the hairdresser’s association in the study area, 164 apprentices were
enumerated but only 116 met the criteria and consented to participate. Semi-structured intervieweradministered
questionnaires were used to collect data on socio-demography, knowledge of EBF
and attitudes towards breast feeding. Knowledge questions and attitude statements were scored
and grouped as adequate or inadequate knowledge; positive or negative attitude. Association
between knowledge and socio-demographic variables were explored by chi-square analysis.
Results: Most apprentices were between 21-25yrs (49%), attained the senior secondary (SSS)
level of education (55.2%) and majority were single (91.4%).While many (63.8%) of the
respondents had inadequate knowledge of EBF, nearly all of them (96.4%) had positive attitude to
breast feeding. Only 36.23% knew that infants should receive breast milk only, 68.1% would give water and 53.4%would give herbal teas in the first six months of life. Some misconceptions (e.g.
colostrum is dirty) and negative attitudes (e.g. breast feeding inconvenient, embarrassing, sags
breasts) existed. A significant association exist between age group of respondents (p=.001); level of
education (p=.001) and knowledge of exclusive breast feeding.
Conclusion: Relevant interventions about EBF should focus on young people especially those with
low levels of education, who have gaps in EBF knowledge so that misconceptions and negative
attitudes can be resolved.