Breastfeeding practices of physician-mothers in Ife and Ilesa zones, Osun State, Nigeria.

Background: Physician-mothers' breastfeeding behaviour is being studied because it is believed to impact their anticipatory guidance to their patients, which in turn influences patients' breastfeeding initiation and continuation. Study assessed the breastfeeding practices of physician-mothers; their reasons for stopping exclusive breastfeeding and factors associated with their breastfeeding practices.

Methods: Study design was cross-sectional, conducted in Osun East Senatorial District, Nigeria. A self-administered semi-structured questionnaire was administered to all eligible 56 physician-mothers in public primary, secondary and tertiary health facilities in the reproductive age-group whose youngest child was aged d"five years. Informed consent was obtained. Outcome measures were time breastfeeding was initiated, duration of exclusive breastfeeding; reasons for stopping exclusive breastfeeding and duration of continued breastfeeding. Data was analysed using SPSS version 17, statistical significance was determined at p-value < 0.05.

Results: Fifty (89.3%) responded. Seventy per cent initiated breastfeeding within 1 hour after birth; exclusive breastfeeding rate was 28.0% with a mean duration of 4.1 +/- 1.9 months. Mean duration of continued breastfeeding was 14.5 +/- 4.5 months. Commonest reason for stopping exclusive breastfeeding was 'baby old enough' (35.8%). Mode of delivery was statistically significantly associated with time to initiate breastfeeding. Time to initiate breastfeeding was statistically significantly associated with duration of exclusive breastfeeding.

Conclusion: Breastfeeding practices of physician-mothers do not conform to the standards in the Innocenti Declaration. The impact of this on their professional support to clients' should be measured in further studies. It is recommended that targeted interventions be done to improve the attitude and breastfeeding practices of physician-mothers.