Knowledge and attitude regarding expressed breast milk among lactating women in a selected hospital at Mangalore

Abstract

Background: Breast milk is the primary source of nutrition for infants. Breastfeeding is believed to decline infant mortality and morbidity rates and help attain developmental milestones. Now exclusive breastfeeding rate became low due to the engagement of lactating mothers in full-time employment and inadequate support for breastfeeding at the workplace. The study's main aim was to check lactating mothers' knowledge and attitude about expressed breastmilk. Methodology: A quantitative descriptive approach was used to assess the knowledge and attitude of lactating women who met the inclusion criteria and 100 lactating mothers were selected by purposive sampling technique. The tools used were structured knowledge questionnaires and an attitude rating scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Result: Out of 100 lactating women majority of the participants, i.e., 62% had good knowledge, 29 % had excellent knowledge, 9% had average knowledge and 0% had poor knowledge of expressed breast milk. The majority of lactating women showed a favorable attitude (99%) and only 1% had an unfavorable attitude. There was no correlation or association between knowledge and attitude regarding expressed breast milk. Conclusion: This study concludes that the majority of lactating women had good knowledge and a favorable attitude toward expressed breast milk.