E.B Tembiri Date

This study was carried out to explore the perceived effects of breastfeeding on maternal weight management among women attending the postnatal clinic at Ekosodin Primary Health Centre (PHC), Ovia North-East Local Government Area, Benin City, Edo State. Three research questions were raised to guide the study, and relevant literature related to the topic was extensively reviewed. The descriptive research design was adopted for the study. The population consisted of 80 postnatal attendees at Ekosodin Primary Health Centre, Ovia North-East Local Government Area. A census sampling technique was used for the study. The instrument used for data collection was a questionnaire on the perceived effects of breastfeeding on maternal weight management among women attending the postnatal clinic in Ekosodin PHC. The questionnaire was validated by the project supervisor and two other lecturers from the Department of Health, Safety, and Environmental Education. The test-retest reliability method was adopted. Data obtained from the instrument were analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, and chi-square statistics. Findings from the study revealed that the majority of the respondents perceived breastfeeding as having an influence on maternal weight. Age and parity were found to significantly affect maternal weight management among women attending the postnatal clinic in Ekosodin PHC. Based on the findings, the researcher recommends that practical diet plans, culturally acceptable exercises, and weight-tracking activities should be included in routine postnatal visits for all mothers. Breastfeeding promotion should also be intensified by reinforcing education in postnatal clinics on the benefits of exclusive and prolonged breastfeeding for both infant health and maternal weight control. Furthermore, the study suggests that future research should focus on assessing the knowledge and attitudes towards maternal weight management among women attending postnatal clinics at Ekosodin Primary Health Centre.