THE BENEFIT OF BREASTFEEDING ON INFANTS

A CASE STUDY IN WARDHIIGLEY DISTRICT, MOGADISHU,

SOMALIA

By
ABDULAHI MOHAMED ABDI
ABDISHAKUR MOHAMUD HASSAN
NUURTO BARIISE IBRAHIM

A THESIS SUBMETTED TO THE

FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCE
DEPARTMENT OF NURSING

IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE

AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR IN NURSING

SOMALI INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY – SIU

JULY, 2016
 DECLARATION A

I hereby declare that I have read this Thesis and in my opinion this Thesis is sufficient

in terms of scope and quality for the award of the degree of Bachelor of General

Nursing.

Name of Supervisor: Mustafa Moalim Mohamed

Date: _____/_____/______

Signature: _____________

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 DECLARATION B

We declare that this Thesis entitled “THE BENEFIT OF BREASTFEEDING ON

INFANTS, A CASE STUDY IN WARDHIIGLEY DISTRICT, MOGADISHU,

SOMALIA” is the result of our own research except as cited in the references. The

Thesis has not been accepted for any degree and is not concurrently submitted in

candidature of any degree.

Name: Abdishakur Mohamud Hassan

Signature: _____________________

Date: ___/____/_______

Name: Nuurto Bariise Ibrahim

Signature: _____________________

Date: ___/___/________

Name: Abdulahi Mohamed Abdi

Signature: _____________________

Date: ___/___/_________

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 DEDICATION

We dedicate this thesis book to our beloved mothers and fathers, who supported us

financially and struggled to educate us. Also we dedicate to Somali International

University – SIU because, we are the first graduates.

IV
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

In the course of writing this Proposal and by extension the period during our training
in General Nursing, We have incurred lots of debts for which acknowledgements are
necessary. We are particularly grateful and eternally thankful to the following:
˗Almighty Allah with whose permission we live and with whose countless favours we
continue to remain grateful. Verily, you are the all-sustainer and all-provider for
mankind.
˗All staff at Somali International University – SIU and Faculty of health sciences for
their generosity in awarding me a pure knowledge to pursue my/our dream.
˗Mustafa Moalim Mohamed, our supervisor, for his expert comments and friendly
company throughout the period of our study.
˗Our unforgettable fathers and mothers
˗All our brothers, sisters, uncles, and cousins for all the love, support, and prayers
throughout our education
˗All our lecturers, for all thier stimulating lectures, seminars and exams; we couldn’t
have gotten better than we had. And for thier preliminary insightful comments about
our topic and research design.
˗All our friends and assistants during our data collection exercise. We really enjoyed
your company and appreciate your assistance.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER TITLE PAGE

DECLARATION A ……………………………………………………………............. II

DECLARATION B …………………………………………………………………..... III

DEDICATION ……………………………………………………………………….... IV

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT …………………………………………………………….. V

TABLE OF CONTENTS ……………………………………………………………… VI

LIST OF APPENDICES ……………………………………………………………..... IX

LIST OF TABLES ……. ……………………………………………………………… VIII

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.0 Introduction …………………………………………………………………...……... 1

1.1 Background of study………………………………………………………………..... 1

1.2 Statement of the problem ……………………………………………………………. 3

1.3 Purpose of the study …………………………………………………………………. 3

1.4 General objectives ………………..………………………………………….............. 3

1.5 Specific objectives ………………..………………………………………………..... 4

1.6 Research questions ………………..………………………………………................. 4

1.7 Scope of the study ………………..………………………………………………...... 4

1.7.1 Time scope ………………..……………………………………………… 4

1.7.2 Geographical scope ………………..……………………………………… 4

1.7.3 Theoretical scope ………..………………………………………………... 4

1.8 Significance of the study ………..………………………………………………….... 4

1.9 Operational definitions ………………..……………………………………………... 5

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 CHAPTER TWO: LETERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Introduction……………………………… ………………..………………………… 6

2.2 The benefits of breastfeeding on infant and mother……………………………………. 6

2.2.1 Benefits of Breastfeeding to Infant…………………………………………………….. 6

2.2.1.1 Physical benefits.…………............................................................................ 6

2.2.1.2 Behavioral benefits……………………......................................................... 7

2.2.1.3 Cognitive benefits……................................................................................... 7

2.2.1.4 Social and emotional benefits………………………………………………. 8

2.2.2 Benefits of Breastfeeding to Mother…………………………………………………… 9

2.2.2.1 Emotional benefits…………………………………………………………... 9

2.2.2.2 Health benefits………………………………………………………………. 9

2.3 Breastfeeding Knowledge among care givers and mothers as identified in previous studies…... 10

2.4 The practice of exclusive breastfeeding as identified in previous studies……………... 11

2.5 Evidence Acquisition for the benefits of breastfeeding………………………………... 12

2.5.1 Breastfeeding and Prevention of Diseases…………………………………... 12

2.5.2 Overweight and Obesity and Breastfeeding………………………………… 12

2.5.3 Breastfeeding and Incidence of Diabetes and Hypertension………………... 13

2.5.4 Breastfeeding and Incidence of Asthma and Allergies……………………… 13

2.5.5 Breastfeeding and Development and Function of Nervous System………… 13

2.5.6 Breastfeeding and Other Factors…………………………………………….. 14

2.6 What is colostrum and how does it help my baby……………………………………… 14

2.7 Economic Benefits of breastfeeding…………………………………………………… 15

2.8 Interventions to Increase Breastfeeding Rates…………………………………………. 15

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 CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHTEDOLOGY

3.1 Introduction ………………………………………………………………………….. 16

3.2 Research Design ……………………………………………………………………... 16

3.3 Research Population …………………………………………………………………. 16

3.4 Sample Size ………………………………………………………………………….. 17

3.5 Sampling Procedure …………………………………………………………………. 17

3.6 Research Instrument …………………………………………………………………. 17

3.7 Validity and Reliability of the Instrument ………………………………………....... 17

3.8 Data Gathering Procedures …………………………………………………………... 18

3.9 Data Analysis ………………………………………………………………………... 18

3.10 Ethical Consideration ………………………………………………………………..... 18

3.11 Limitation of the Study ………………………………………………………………... 18

CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS
4.1 Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………. 20

4.2 Infants’ and care givers’ biological and basic demographic characteristics.…………... 20

4.3 Type of infants’ care giver…………………………………………………………….. 20

4.4 Age of infants’ care giver (years)……………………………………………………… 20

4.5 Marital status of infants’ care giver…………………………………………………… 21

4.6 Educational status of infants’ care giver……………………………………………… 21

4.7 Occupational status of infants’ care giver…………………………………….............. 22

4.8 Age group of infants (months) ……………………………………………………… 22

4.9 Gender of infants……………………………………………………………………... 22

4.10 Birth order of infants…………………………………………………………………. 23

4.11 Number of children in the infants’ family…………………………………………. 23

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4.12 Parameters for measuring caregivers’ knowledge towards benefits and practice
of breastfeeding……………………………………………………………………… 24

4.13 Have you ever received information about the benefits of breastfeeding during
e.g. the antenatal period or hospital visit………………………………………. 24

4.14 The first yellowish milk (colostrum) should be fed to the baby and it is benefit
for the newborn…………………………………………………………………. 24

4.15 Breast milk is the unique source of food for infants less than six months……... 25

4.16 How many advantages of breastfeeding can you tell…………………………... 25

4.17 There is need for educating mothers about the benefits of breastfeeding……… 25

4.18 Breastfeeding should be the first form of feeding with in the first hour after birth……. 26

4.19 Expressed breast milk should be fed to the baby when the mother is away…………… 26

4.20 The practice of exclusive breastfeeding exists in Wardhiigley………………………… 27

4.21 Complementary feeding should be started after 6 months……………………………... 27

4.22 Breastfeeding should be continued for up to two years………………………………... 28

4.23 Breast milk alone even without water is enough for the infant for the first six months
of life. …………………………………………………………………………………. 28

CHAPTER FIVE
FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Introduction…………………………………………………………………………….. 29

5.2 Finding…………………………………………………………………………………. 29

5.2.1 Care givers’ and infants’ biological and basic demographic characteristics.. 29

5.2.2 Parameters for measuring caregivers’ knowledge towards benefits and

practice of breastfeeding. ………………………………………………….. 30

5.3 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………… 32

5.4 Recommendations……………………………………………………………………… 32

REFERENCES ………………………………………………………………………… 34

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APPENDIX A: Questionnaire …………………………………………………………. 38

APPENDIX B: Map of Somalia ………………………………………………………. 40

APPENDIX C: Map of Mogadishu ……………………………………………………. 41

APPENDIX D: Map of Wardhiigley district ………………………………………….. 42

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LIST OF APPENDICES PAGE
Appendix A: Questionnaire ……………………………………………………. 38
Appendix B: Map of Somalia ………………………………………………….. 40
Appendix C: Map of Mogadishu ………………………………………………. 41
Appendix D: Map of Wardhiigley ……………………………………………... 42

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LIST OF TABLES PAGE
Table 4.1 Type of infants’ care giver…………………………………………. 20
Table 4.2 Age of infants’ care giver (years) …………………………………. 20
Table 4.3 Marital status of infants’ care giver………………………………... 21
Table 4.4 Educational status of infants’ care giver…………………………… 21
Table 4.5 Occupational status of infants’ care giver………………………….. 22
Table 4.6 Age group of infants (months) …………………………………….. 22
Table 4.7 Gender of infants…………………………………………………… 22
Table 4.8 Birth order of infants……………………………………………….. 23
Table 4.9 Number of children in the infants’ family…………………………. 23
Table 4.10 Have you ever received information about the benefits of
breastfeeding during e.g. the antenatal period or hospital visit…….. 24

Table 4.11 The first yellowish milk (colostrum) should be fed to the baby and
it is benefit for the newborn………………………………………… 24
Table 4.12 Breast milk is the unique source of food for infants less than six
months………………………………………………………………. 25
Table 4.13 How many advantages of breastfeeding can you tell………………. 25
Table 4.14 There is need for educating mothers about the benefits of
breastfeeding. ………………………………………………………. 25
Table 4.15 Breastfeeding should be the first form of feeding with in the first
hour after birth. …………………………………………………….. 26
Table 4.16 Expressed breast milk should be fed to the baby when the mother is
away………………………………………………………………… 26
Table 4.17 The practice of exclusive breastfeeding exists in Wardhiigley…….. 27
Table 4.18 Complementary feeding should be started after 6 months…………. 27
Table 4.19 Breastfeeding should be continued for up to two years…………….. 28
Table 4.20 Breast milk alone even without water is enough for the infant for
the first six months of life…………………………………………... 28

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