Using the Health Belief Model as a theoretical underpinning, this cross- sectional descriptive study assessed the perception of market women, who
are mothers of under-two, on the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding and
the susceptibility of their children to the risks associated with non-practice
of exclusive breastfeeding. Employing the survey method, two markets
(Sabo and Whitesand) in Lagos Mainland Local Government, Lagos State,
were selected. A sample size of 231was selected using systematic
sampling. Findings revealed that most of the women had favourable
perceptions of the social and economic benefits of exclusive breastfeeding
than of the core health benefits; have low perceptions of the risks their
babies are prone to when they do not exclusively breastfeed; and even have
lower perceptions of the health risks they as mothers are exposed to when
they do not practice exclusive breastfeeding. There was no significant
relationship between the perceived susceptibility and their practice. The
factors which influenced exclusive breast feeding among these women are
maternal age, education, marital status, number of children, source of
information and the sex of the baby. The number of children the women
had was the most significant contributor followed by marital status and
education, and age. The source of information and the sex of the baby were
other factors.