Self-Care Practices of Primipara Women Regarding Breast Engorgement

Abstract

Abstract: Breast engorgement is a painful condition affects postnatal women, and lead to unsuccessful breastfeeding. So, there is urgent need to increase women’s knowledge and to improve their self-care practices regarding breast engorgement. Aim: The present study aimed to assess self-care practices of primipara women regarding breast engorgement. Subjects and method: The study was conducted at postpartum departments, outpatient clinics and Neonatal intensive care units affiliated to Tanta University Hospital, El-Menshawy General Hospital and El-Mabara Hospital, in addition to Maternal and Child Health Centers at Botros and Sager. Convenience sample of 200 women were included in the study. Four tools were used for the collection of data: Tool I: Structured interview schedule, consisted of two parts: Part (1): Socio-demographic data of the women. Part (2): Reproductive history. Tool II: Knowledge of primipara women regarding breast engorgement. Tool III: Self-care practices of primipara women regarding breast engorgement. Tool IV: LATCH Breastfeeding Charting Scale. Results: The study revealed that almost three quarters (77.5%) of women had poor level of knowledge followed by (17.0% and 5.5% respectively) of them had fair and good level of knowledge. The entire of the studied women with breast engorgement had unsatisfactory practices. It also illustrated that, only 27.0% had well breastfeeding. Conclusion: There was poor knowledge, as well as unsatisfactory level of self -care practices regarding breast engorgement among primipara post-natal women. Recommendations: the study recommended developing antenatal classes for all women to increase their knowledge and enhance their self-care practices regarding breast engorgement.