Perceptions of Mothers with Children Aged 0 to 59 Months Regarding Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF) in the Rural Community of Wogo, Sinder, Tillabery, Niger

The objective of this study was to evaluate perceptions and beliefs regarding exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) according to the sociodemographic and economic characteristics of mothers of children aged 0 to 59 months in the Wogo rural commune of Sinder/Tillabery/ Niger. This is a cross-sectional descriptive study, on a representative sample of mothers of children aged under five years. A questionnaire was completed using a structured interview. The data were collected with ODK software then analyzed with SPSS and Epi Info version 7.2 software. Mothers in the age groups of 15 to 24 and 25 to 34 years mainly perceive that colostrum is bad for the health of the newborn 22.22% and 17.20%. These mothers use pre-lacteal products until the milk matures, which then changes color and becomes white. Mothers aged 35 to 53 years, for their part, perceive more of an insufficiency of milk secretion 26.87%. Among those not in school, 20.93% say that colostrum is bad; 14.53% think they don't have enough milk. 23.4% of those at primary level reject colostrum. Among unemployed mothers, 19.31% perceive colostrum as bad milk, and 16.55% of them perceive insufficient milk. First-time mothers mainly believe that the child is not satisfied with the consumption of milk only 28.67%. Despite their awareness, some mothers 10.24% say that the child will be thirsty, 14.45% perceive insufficient milk and 13.25% consider colostrum bad for health. The majority of mothers who gave birth in health centers and who did not practice EBF perceive insufficient milk secretion and the majority of women who gave birth at home say that colostrum is bad for the child 27, 37% and 22.10% say that the child is not satisfied with the consumption of breast milk alone. The perceptions and beliefs of mothers and their elders in traditional myths dangerously hinder the practice of EBF in this community.