Exclusive breast feeding: a cross sectional survey about knowledge, attitudes and practices among lactating mothers in Pilkhuwa, Hapur
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20202465Keywords:
Attitude, Exclusive breast feeding, Knowledge, Postnatal mothers, PracticeAbstract
Background: Exclusive breast feeding is a basic human activity, vital to infant and maternal health and of immense economic value to households and societies. Studies in India have also shown a decline in breastfeeding trends, especially in urban areas. The WHO recommends that for the first six months of life, infants should be exclusively breastfed to achieve optimal growth, development, and health. Thereafter, infants should receive nutritionally adequate and safe complementary foods, while continuing to breastfeed for up to two years or more. Thus the present study was developed to examine the infant feeding practices, knowledge and attitude towards breast feeding among postnatal mothers.
Methods: This was a cross sectional study carried out among post natal mothers who attended immunization clinics with their children for vaccination and for the treatment of other minor illnesses at a UHTC (Urban Health Training Centre).
Results: Sixty three percent mothers were aware about exclusive breast feeding. Hospital/health facilities were the main source of information. A significant decrease about misconceptions and significant increase in knowledge occurred about exclusive breast feeding, in post testing.
Conclusions: Promotion of women’s education, husband’s engagement, encouraging antenatal care and exclusive breastfeeding counselling during antenatal care were recommended to improve exclusive breastfeeding practice.
References
State Institute of Health and Family Welfare, Jaipur. 2014. Avialbale at http:// sihfwrajasthan.com/ Ppts/ World%20Health%20Day.pdf. Assessed on 12 January 2020.
UNICEF. Breastfeeding and nutrition. Available at http:// www. unicef. org/ nutrition/ index_ 24824. html. Assessed on 12 January 2020.
Quatation about breastfeeding. Available at http:// www. quotegarden. com/ breastfeeding. Html. Assessed on 12 January 2020.
World Health Organization. Global strategy for infant and young child feeding. Fifty Fifth World Health Assembly. Geneva: WHO. 2002:55.
Motee A, Ramasawmy D, Gunsam P, Jeewon R. An assessment of the breastfeeding practices and infant feeding pattern among mothers in Mauritius. J Nutr Metab. 2013;52:1-8.
International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) and Macro International. 2007. National Family Health Survey. Government of India.
Ramalingam K. Mother and child India together. Available at URL: http:// www.indiatogether.org. Assessed on 12 January 2020.
Hiremath B, Sorganvi V. A cross-sectional study on breast feeding practices in a rural area of North Karnataka. IJCRR. 2013;5(21):13-8.
Angadi MM, Jawaregowda SK. Gender discrimination in relation to breast feeding practices in rural areas of Bijapur district, Karnataka. Int J Contemp Pediatr. 2015;2:340-4.
Angadi MM, Shashank KJ. Gender discrimination in relation to breast feeding practices in rural areas of Bijapur district, Karnataka. Int J Contemp Pedia. 2015;2(4):247-52.
Gupta P, Srivastava VK, Kumar V, Jain S, Massod J, Ahmad N, et al. Newborn care practices in urban slums of Lucknow City, UP. Indian J Commun Med. 2010;35(1):88-92.
Animation on breast feeding. Available at https://www. youtube .com/watch?v=vOZMYnjyX. Assessed on 12 January 2020.
Alamirew MW, Bayu NH, Tebeje NB, Kassa SF. Knowledge and attitude towards exclusive breast feeding among mothers attending antenatal and immunization clinic at Dabat Health Center, Northwest Ethiopia: a cross-sectional institution based study. Nursing Res Pract. 2017;65(6):10-8.
Singh J, Bhardwar V, Kumra A. Knowledge, attitude and practice towards exclusive breastfeeding among lactating mothers: descriptive cross sectional study. IJMDS. 2018;7(1):1-10.
Krishnendu M, Devaki GJ. Knowledge, attitude and practice towards breasfeeding among lactating mothers in rural areas of Thrissur District of Kerala, India: a cross-sectional study, Biomed Pharmacol J. 2017;10(2):683-90.
Gurung R, Silwal M, Gurung A, Sah I, Koirala D, Paudel S, et al. Knowledge, attitude and practice towards exclusive breastfeeding among mothers in Pokhara Lekhnath. J Gandaki Med Coll. 2018;11(01):683-90.
Vijayalakshmi P, Susheela T, Mythili D. Knowledge, attitudes and breast feeding practices of postnatal mothers: a cross sectional survey. Int J Health Sci. 2015;9(4):364-74.
Tadele N, Habta F, Akmel D, Deges E. Knowledge, attitude and practice towards exclusive breastfeeding among lactating mothers in Mizan Aman town, South western Ethiopia: descriptive cross-sectional study. Int Breastfeeding J. 2016;11(3):1-7.
Chinnasami B, Sundar S, Kumar J, Sadasivam K, Pasupathy S. Knowledge, attitude and practices of mothers regarding breastfeeding in a South Indian hospital. Biomed Pharmacol J. 2016;9(1):195-9.
