The RIING Project "Informed Decisions and Infant Feeding Practives Among Ghanaians"

INFORMED DECISIONS AND INFANT FEEDING PRACTICES AMONG GHANAIANS
Yi-kyoung Lee, M.S., ABD Grace Marquis, Ph.D. (Iowa State University) Anna Lartey, Ph.D.
(University of Ghana)

In Ghana, as in other Sub Saharan African countries, breastfeeding is near universal and of long duration. It is not unusual for mothers to breastfeed infants well into their second year of life. But current recommendations regarding exclusive breastfeeding for the first 4-6 months of life are rarely met in practice.

The study was to examine Ghanaian pregnant women's intentions regarding infant feeding methods, the factors that influence their intentions, and the characteristics of pregnant women who were at risk of the spillover effect.

The Study was carried out in Accra, Ghana, with 403 pregnant women aged between 18-49 years and systematically selected at two polyclinics in Accra. There was also a follow-up study with 41 pregnant women who were 6-8 months, purposely selected from main survey participants.

The theoretical framework was composed as a composite of the Theory of Reasoned Action, Health Belief Model and the Theory of Planned Behavior. Variables measured included indicators of attitudes, subjective norm, self-efficacy, locus of control, perceived susceptibility, severity, morbidity, cue to action and past behavior

The following indicators were positive correlates of infant feeding history: duration of BF, less than primary school education, northerner tribal origin. The age at which infant was introduced to formula was also significantly correlated to youngest child <3years, Akan tribal origin, greater than or equal to SSS education level and being a vocational/office worker.

The mean duration of EBF intended ~4.5 months whilst intention of any BF duration was ~18 months. The determinants of EBF in the first month were locus of control, self-efficacy and attitudes. The determinants of breastfeeding in the first month were self-efficacy and attitudes.

The results demonstrate the importance of providing mothers with the practical tools to breastfeed that will increase their perception of self-efficacy.

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