A Study to Assess Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices Regarding Exclusive Breastfeeding among Postnatal Mothers in Order to Develop Information Booklet at Krishna Hospital, Karad

Abstract

Abstract Background: World Health Organization and United Nations Children’s Fund recommended Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months for new-borns. Still, the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding is very low in many developing countries. Objective: In present study we assessed knowledge, attitude and practices regarding Exclusive breastfeeding among postnatal mothers at Krishna Hospital, Karad, Maharashtra, India. Materials and Methods: A Descriptive survey research design utilized to assess knowledge, attitude and practices regarding exclusive breastfeeding among 100 postnatal mothers. A structured questionnaire used to assess knowledge, attitude and practices regarding Exclusive breastfeeding. Ethical clearance obtained from Ethical committee, Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Deemed to Be University, Karad and informed consent obtained from participants in local language. Results: The result showed that, among 100 postnatal mothers, around 20(20%) of postnatal mother had poor knowledge on exclusive breastfeeding, 73(73%) had average knowledge and 7(7%) had good knowledge. The practice score of postnatal mothers regarding exclusive breastfeeding showed that 18(18%) mother had poor practice, 73 (73%) had average practice and 9 (9%) had good practice. Attitude toward exclusive breastfeeding were rated as positive by 11(11%) , majority of samples 76(76%) had a neutral opinion regarding exclusive breastfeeding, while roughly 13(13%) had a negative perspective. There was extremely significant association for knowledge and practices with demographic variables (P<0.0001). Also there was highly significant correlation found between attitude with demographic variables. Conclusion: Study findings conclude that most of the mother’s lack awareness on exclusively breastfeeding, thus researchers need to increase mothers’ knowledge by developing and distributing them information booklets.