INFLUENCE OF THE HEALTH BELIEF MODEL ON EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING AMONG NURSING MOTHERS IN MINNA, NIGER STATE

information sources such as healthcare personnel's or hospital attendants, family and friends, facebook, television, radio, newspaper have bee'n used as an important source of communication to nursing mothers. The study assessed the attitude of exclusive breastfeeding among nursing mothers in Minna, Niger State. The study employed the health belief model as a foundation. It equally used the survey method, using questionnaire as research instrument. The study population consisted of nursing mothers attending postnatal care and health talks in 33 health care centers. The study found out that the hospital attendants were rated the highest well known information source, while others such as facebook had the lowest rating. Television, newspaper, radio, family and friends were rated averagely. Most nursing mothers also indicated that they came across messages on exclusive breastfeeding a month and above. Findings also indicate that nursing mothers had positive attitude towards exclusive breastfeeding. Based on these findings the study recommends that other information source such as facebook, television, radio, newspaper and family and friends need to be improved upon