Role of exclusive breastfeeding in the health and development of under-five children who present in Absuth, Aba

Breastfeeding is unarguable essential for the growth and development of new born babies. Most childhood diseases, allergies and poor developmental mile stones can be cheaply avoided by the WHO recommended method of feeding, termed Exclusive breastfeeding. The rising incidence of some diseases often associated with poor infant breast feeding raises concern, whether there is a relationship between breastfeeding and the prevalence of these diseases.Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study to obtain information from mothers and fathers who brought their sick under-five children to ABSUTH U-5 clinic from the month of May to August 2018, using self administered questionnaires. Data was analyzed with IBM SPSS version 20.0.Results: 384 male and female respondents participated in this study with numbers 38 (9.9%) and 346 (90.1%) respectively. 163 (42.4%) had good knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding while149 (43.1%) of mothers aged 18-27years claimed to have practiced exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) out of 346 (90.1%) women who participated. Level of education of participants was associated good knowledge and practice of EBF and these differences was found to be statistically significant p=0.001) and (p=0.002) respectively.Conclusion: Thestudy showed poor knowledge and practice of EBF. We recommend continuous sensitization and health education campaigns during the antenatal period, emphasizing the role and importance of EBF. Husbands should be more supportive of their wives and encourage them to breastfeed exclusively in order to have healthy children with adequate developmental milestones.Keywords: Knowledge, practice, Exclusive breastfeeding, developmen