Inventi Rapid: Neonatal & Pediatric Nursing

Inventi:hrnpn/43053/21

Assessment of knowledge, attitude and existing practices on successful breastfeeding among lactating mothers

Supporting women with breastfeeding is a complex process and requires sensitive interaction and attention to contextual issues.Breastfeeding has declined worldwide in recent years, as a result of urbanization and maternal employment outside the home. Studies in India have shown a decline in breastfeeding trends, especially in urban areas. Early initiation of breastfeeding is not seen in over 75% of the nation’s children and over 50% of children are not exclusively breast fed. Hence, the low figures for early initiation of breastfeeding in India are a matter of urgent concern.The objectives of the study were to assess the level of knowledge, attitude, existing practices, to identify the relationship between knowledge on successful breast feeding and to identify the relationship between attitude on successful breast feeding with baseline variables.The methodology used in study was quantitative descriptive cross sectional survey design, the study was done among lactating mothers from selected hospitals in Pathanamthitta district. Pilot study was conducted; the study design and tool were found to be feasible. Using non probability purposive sampling technique, 80 lactating mothers were enrolled in the study. Modified Kuppuswamy baseline proforma, knowledge questionnaire, IOWA infant feeding attitude scale with existing breastfeeding practice, with reliability of knowledge questionnaire (0.794) and IOWA infant feeding attitude scale (0.86) was used to collect data. Analysis was done using frequency, percentage, Spearman rank correlation test and item analysis. Analysis of the baseline variables showed that 53.75% were from young adulthood (20-30 years), 28.8% were graduate and 53.8% were unemployed,18.8% of the mothers are earning annual income of Rs.59000 – 100000 and <6500, 52.5% of mothers had 1 child and 63% were residing in rural area.The overall perception of knowledge of lactating mothers found to be average i.e (88.75%), attitude shows neutral attitude towards breastfeeding i.e (83.75%) and the existing practices showed almost all the mothers were having similar responses to the statement whether the statement was positive or negative. Chi -square analysis showed that there was a highly significant relationship and association between knowledge and attitude with selected baseline variables such as age, education, occupation, annual income, number of children & residence. The study research conclude that, we found that the findings of the study reveal that there is a relationship between baseline variables and successful breastfeeding ,to have successful breastfeeding the knowledge and attitude of the mothers should be improved by giving effective health education and encourage the mothers to have good practices for successful breastfeeding....