ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND NATIONAL PRIMARY HEALTH CARE DEVELOPMENT AGENCY (NPHCDA’s) EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING TELEVISION CAMPAIGNS ON THE BREASTFEEDING PRACTICE AMONG ONITSHA NURSING MOTHERS

Abstract

For some years now, there has been rising interest in the encouragement of the art and practice of exclusive breastfeeding. This is so because it has been scientifically proven to be the best method of feeding for neonates and infants and thus, has also played a role in the reduction of infant morbidity and mortality. To encourage the practice of exclusive breastfeeding in Nigeria, the Federal Government and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) embarked on television campaigns. This study, therefore, aimed to find out  the level of exposure to the Federal Government and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA’s) exclusive breastfeeding television campaigns among Onitsha nursing mothers, the extent to which they practice exclusive breastfeeding and the extent to which the Federal Government and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA’s) exclusive breastfeeding television campaigns shape their breastfeeding practice. This was done using the descriptive survey research design. With the 2024 projected population of the female residents of Onitsha which is 205, 153 and the Meyer (1973) sample size determination table, the researcher determined the sample size of this study (383) and selected the samples using multi-stage sampling procedure. Using this procedure, the researcher randomly selected 2 communities (Akpaka and Enu-Onicha [Inland Town]) from Onitsha North and 2 communities (Awada and Odoakpu) from Onitsha South. The researcher again randomly selected 2 wards from each of the communities. From Akpaka, American Quarters and Government Residential Area (GRA) were selected while Inland Town I and Inland Town II were selected from Enu-Onicha [Inland Town]. Fegge I and Fegge II were selected from Awada while Odoakpu I and Odoakpu II were selected from Odoakpu. In collecting data from the nursing mothers, the researcher used pre-tested copies of close-ended questionnaires and analyzed the collected data using frequency tables and simple percentages. From the study, the researcher found, among others, that the Federal Government and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA’s) exclusive breastfeeding television campaigns largely shapes the breastfeeding practice of Onitsha nursing mothers. Based on the findings of this study, it was recommended, among others, that all Onitsha nursing mothers should consistently allow the Federal Government and the National Primary Health Care Agency (NPHCDA’s) exclusive breastfeeding television campaigns and other campaigns from other genuine sources to shape their breastfeeding practice in order to ensure that they are always taking the right health measures and not unproven and unscientific measures that can negatively affect them in the long term.