Knowledge, attitude and practise of breast feeding among postnatal mothers at rural tertiary hospital

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of breast feeding among admitted postnatal mothers and to find out their relationship with socio demographic factors. Material and Methods: This was a prospective cross sectional study of 240 post-natal mothers admitted in rural tertiary care hospital. The study included a face to face interview of mothers using a pretested questionnaire and analysis of data using SPSS (version 20). Results: Majority (n=201, %=87.5) of mothers belong to age group of 18 to 26 with mean of 23.4 and standard deviation of 3.14. Maximum (87.5%) mothers belonged to Hindu religion. More than half of them were housewives (61%) living in nuclear families and up to 40% of study population were employed. Majority of mothers from study group were primi - para (54.1%). Prelacteal feeds were given by 16% and colostrum was discarded by 8% of mothers. About 80% of mothers were knowledgeable and likely to exclusive breast fed their babies. Antenatal counselling was received by 93.3% of mothers and majority of them by doctor 45.91%. Significant association is seen with antenatal counselling (pvalue<0.03) and good breast feeding practises in post-natal mothers. Conclusion: Antenatal counselling promotes good breast feeding practises hence existing antenatal counselling on breastfeeding needs to be strengthened by informing all pregnant women about the benefits of breastfeeding and motivating them by curtailing their ill beliefs regarding breastfeeding and educating them that breast Feeding is the healthiest and safest way to feed babies.