Assessing Mogadishu Banadir Children and Mother Hospital Healthcare Workers’ Knowledge of Exclusive Breast Feeding and Complimentary Feeding

The study titled “Assessing Mogadishu Banadir Children and Mother Hospital Healthcare Workers’ Knowledge of Exclusive Breastfeeding and Complementary Feeding” aimed to evaluate the awareness and expertise of medical and voluntary staff regarding infant feeding practices and to identify system-level barriers affecting breastfeeding support. Conducted through a cross-sectional survey, the research involved structured interviews with hospital staff, assessing their knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about exclusive and complementary feeding. Statistical analyses, including t-tests, ANOVA, and Chi-square tests, were employed to analyze the data. The findings revealed that while the majority of staff recognized the importance of early breastfeeding and the benefits of maternal milk, practices such as requiring mothers to remain in bed during labor and drug-induced sleep were identified as factors hindering early mother-infant contact. The study underscores the necessity for comprehensive breastfeeding education across healthcare providers and medical education to enhance staff competencies and support optimal infant feeding practices.