The study explored perceptions and barriers to exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) among rural women in Zimbabwe.
A descriptive cross sectional design was used with 490 participants (146 men and 344 women). Questionnaires
and Focus Group Discussions were held with women 15-49 years who had a child below 2 years and their male
partners. The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding amongst the infants 0 – 6months was 66.8%. Seventy-four
and 64.7% of girls and boys respectively were exclusively breastfed. Sixty-three percent of newborns were
exclusively breastfed immediately after birth with 32% and 5% of the newborns being initiated within 6 hours
and 1 day respectively. Women reported that they were comfortable to exclusively breastfeed for the first 3
months. The top six barriers to EBF were poor support from men(<30%),pressure from in-laws to introduce
other foods, scanty knowledge on appropriate infant feeding practices, negative cultural and religious practices
and lack of interest in women to exclusively breastfeed. The EBF prevalence was higher amongst young mothers
(below 19 years) as compared to older women (20-49 years). EBF practices were lower (58.2%) amongst the
more educated women compared to the less educated women (79.2%). The study concluded that community
social mobilization should be intensified to increase knowledge and improve perceptions by engaging both men
and women and other powerful stakeholders on infant and young child feeding through participatory approaches.