Abstract:
Background: Breastfeeding is a basic human activity, vital to infant and maternal health. A good breastfeeding
advice from health professionals can influence a mother’s decision to initiate and maintain breastfeeding positively. This study
is aimed at assessing clinical medical students’ knowledge, attitudes and intending practice towards breastfeeding. Method:
Consecutive sampling method was used. Results: Knowledge on the definition of the term EBF was correct in 120 (69.4%) of
the students, 47 (27.2%) of them got it wrong while 6 (3.45) did not known the definition of EBF. The early advantages of EBF
was known by over 70% of the students and the contraindications to BF was gotten by over 60% of the students. The students’
knowledge about some false notion on not giving EBM to sick babies, cause of nipple crack and inadequacy of BF for twin
deliveries were good with over 70% of them knowing the right thing concerning these. The attitude of the students towards BF
was very good with over 80% of them having good attitude towards BF, however 16 (9.3%) will not BF for two years because
they believe that it will make their breast to sag, while 23 (13.3) did not know if that is true and 62 (77.5%) disagree with the
statement. The intending practice of BF was generally good among the students with over 90% agreeing to do initiate BF
within 6 hours of delivery and practicing EBF for 6 months. The intending practice of BF was generally good among the
students with over 90% agreeing to initiate BF within 6 hours of delivery and practicing EBF for 6 months. The major factors
influencing decisions for EBF includes WHO recommendations 108 (48.6%) out of 222 multiple responses, closely followed
by mothers who are still in school for further studies 59 (26.6%). Family advice was the least factor with only 2 (0.9%). The
major factors influencing decisions for termination of breastfeeding includes WHO recommendations 75 (35.0%) out of 222
multiple responses, closely followed by mothers who are still in school for further studies 44 (20.6%. Family advice was the
least factor with only 4 (1.9%). Conclusion. The knowledge, attitude and intending practice on BF by the students were good,
but more needs to be done in the area of knowledge because they are the future doctors who will play an important role in
educating the society on breastfeeding.
