TITLE:
Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Mothers of Children Aged 0 to 24 Months on Breastfeeding in Health Centers in the Urban Community of Niamey
AUTHORS:
Zeidou Abdoulaye, Salifou Ibrahim Alkassoum, Aboubacar Samaila, Goni Alassan, Djibo Adamou Sayo, Maina Oumara, Madougou Souley Adamou, Ramatoulaye Nouhou, Kamaye Moumouni
KEYWORDS:
Breastfeeding, Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, Niamey
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Pediatrics,
Vol.15 No.6,
November
7,
2025
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Breastfeeding is the optimal food for infants, best suited to their nutritional needs. Despite its benefits, it remains an uncommon practice worldwide and in Niger in particular. The objective of this study was to examine mothers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding breastfeeding. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with descriptive and analytical aims. The study population consisted of mothers with a child aged 0 to 24 months, attending integrated health centers in the city of Niamey. The proportions were compared using Pearson’s Chi-square statistical test at the 5% significance level. Results: A total of 639 mothers were surveyed. 57.27% were under 25 years old, 29.58% were uneducated, and the majority were housewives (81.54%). Only 24.88% practiced exclusive breastfeeding, and advice from health professionals (92.17%) was the main source of motivation. Water was the main food associated with breastfeeding the infants younger than 6 months old (75.12%). The main factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding were the age, occupation, education of the mothers, and the time to first breastfeeding the child (P-value Conclusion: Exclusive breastfeeding was observed in only a quarter of mothers; improvement of applied practices could be incorporated in breastfeeding promotion strategies.