ARTICLE SUMMARY
Title: | Giving Babies the Gift of Exclusive Breast-Feeding: An Evaluation of the Influence of Radio Exclusive Breast-Feeding Messages on Women in Ebonyi State, Nigeria |
Author(s): | Nwankwo Simon Ugochukwu, Nwokwu Paul Monday & Chukwu A. Amechi |
Abstract: | Medical experts have agreed that exclusive breast-feeding has obvious positive health implications for a baby aged one to six months. But, evidence had shown that many of the Ebonyi women whose majority are in the rural communities believed otherwise. To impart the knowledge and make them to accept exclusive breast-feeding of new babies, Ebonyi Broadcasting Corporation radio health programme tagged Ebonyi Broadcasting Cooperation (EBBC) Salt FM is programme is the Exclusive Breastfeeding this Week and Unity FM, Abakaliki mum and mums-to-be have for long been on the air. The study therefore, sought to determine the effectiveness of the programmes in influencing the Ebonyi women to adopt exclusive breast-feeding of their new babies. The specific objectives include to: determine the level of exposure to radio messages on exclusive breast-feeding among the Ebonyi women, ascertain their level of knowledge of the radio exclusive breast-feeding messages, determine their level of application of the message and ascertain the major inhibitors to the application of the messages. The study adopted a survey design. The global benchmark of 2.8% was used to compute up to 2022 projected population of the Ebonyi women and it stood at 259,962. The Australian online sample size calculator was used to determine a sample size of 398 respondents. Using a multi-stage sampling technique, the researchers administered copies of the instrument to women sampled across the state. The data collected were analyzed using simple percentages tables and mean computation. The hypotheses were tested using Chi-square test of independence. The findings revealed that majority of the Ebonyi women were exposed to the radio messages and that the majority of them have significant knowledge of the said radio messages. However, the study also found that not only that the majority of the women have not practiced exclusive breast-feeding before, but that they believe that the practice of exclusive breast-feeding is difficult given the existential cultural and economic realities surrounding them in the state. It was recommended that radio messages on exclusive breast-feeding should emphasize the much needed supportive roles of husbands and family members and that dietary intake of the nursing mothers on exclusive breastfeeding programme should as well be highlighted by the messages. |
Keywords: | Babies, Exclusive Breast-feeding, Inluence, Radio messages, Women |
Editorial Board
EDITOR-IN CHIEF
Prof. Jonathan E. Aliede
DEPUTY EDITOR-IN CHIEF
Agatha Obiageri Orji-Egwu, Ph.D
MANAGING EDITOR
SÃmon Ugochukwu Nwankwo, Ph.D
EDITORS
Prof. Ifeyinwa Nsude
Prof. Angela Nwanmuo
Prof. Tyotom Keghku
Prof. Muyiwa Poopola
Prof. Nnanyelugo Okoro
Prof L. I. Ogbuoshi
Ruth. Chika Okorie, Ph.D
Adeola Sidikat Oyrleke, Ph.D
Celestine Ukeoma, Ph.D