Mothers’ and Grandmothers’ misconceptions and socio-cultural factors as barriers to exclusive breastfeeding: A qualitative study involving Health Workers in two rural districts of Ghana

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0239278
• Publication Date: 2020-09-17T18:03:37Z
• Authors: Christiana Nsiah-...; David Teye Doku; Samuel Agblorti
• Keywords: Adult; Male; Rural Population; Therapeutic Misconception; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Epidemiology; Developmental psychology; Science; Health Personnel; Breastfeeding; Mothers; Breastfeeding: Epidemiology, Mechanisms, and Health Outcomes; Nursing; FOS: Health sciences; Grandparent; Ghana; Pediatrics; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Sociology; 5. Gender equality; Qualitative research; Health Sciences; Humans; Breastfeeding Support; Psychology; Maternal and Child Nutrition in Developing Countries; Cultural Characteristics; Nutrition and Dietetics; Q; R; Exclusive Breastfeeding; Feeding Disorders in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders; Social science; FOS: Sociology; 3. Good health; Grandparents; FOS: Psychology; Psychiatry and Mental health; Breast Feeding; Environmental health; Socioeconomic Factors; Medicine; Female; Research Article

Education on exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) practices is usually given in the form of health talks by workers (HWs). The need for HWs to be well-informed about cultural and misconceptions that act as barriers EBF has been documented literature. This information can guide developing interventions such which are culturally sensitive. However, this not explored from perspectives Ghana. In paper, we report mothers' grandmothers' two rural districts Ghana Community Health Workers Volunteers.We used qualitative data collected Kwahu Afram Plains South North Districts through nine focus group discussions (FGDs) among followed saturation principle. All FGDs were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim translated local dialects English. emerging themes writing a narrative account, guided principles thematic analysis.Our main findings included perceptions themselves do practice EBF. Mothers had perception grandmothers did but their children grew well, gestures babies suggested readiness start eating. Misconceptions revealed beliefs breastmilk watery nature does satisfy infants. Another misconception was gain weight faster when exclusively breastfed fed infant formulas. A custom giving corn flour mixed with water or light porridge during first few days after birth welcome newborns also reported.The reports several socio-cultural factors mothers negatively influence mothers. Findings study highlight provide appropriate counselling services only fathers order promote reap its benefits.