ISSN 2360-7920
Abstract
This study investigates whether women’s socio-economic factors matter to exclusive breastfeeding practice in Nigeria. According to the generalised probit regression technique employed, the study found that women in the informal employment sector are 10% more likely to practice exclusive breastfeeding compared to women in the formal employment sector. We also found that women in high-income categories and education are 56% and 65% more likely to practice exclusive breastfeeding compared to women in low-income and lower educational cadres, respectively. Therefore, the study concluded that women’s socioeconomic background does have a significant positive effect on exclusive breastfeeding practice in Nigeria. Based on these findings, the study suggests that policy directions that support exclusive breastfeeding practice, such as long-duration maternity leave and breastfeeding-friendly workplaces, should be implemented across all sectors in Nigerian states.
Keywords: Exclusive Breastfeeding, Exclusive Breastfeeding Practice, Nursing Mothers, Socio-economic Factors, Probit Model, Telephone Polling Methodology, NOIPolls, Nigeria.