Breastfeeding Knowledge and Behavior Among Women Visiting a Tertiary Care Center in India: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

Background: Breastfeeding is commonly practiced by a majority of mothers in developing countries, though there are widespread misconceptions about optimal breastfeeding traditions. In addition to culturally prominent rituals and social norms, incorrect and inadequate breastfeeding knowledge is major factors for this high-risk behavior. Objectives: To assess knowledge, attitude and practices of breastfeeding among girls and women visiting a tertiary care center in India and to find out the factors, which influence the breastfeeding behaviors. Design/Methods: It is a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study done among women attending outpatient and inpatient Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology of S.S. Hospital, Banaras Hindu University, India. A face-to-face interview using a pre-designed, self-administered, standardized questionnaire regarding knowledge, attitude, and practices of breastfeeding was conducted. The information was collected and analyzed using SPSS statistical software. Findings: Among 1000 women enrolled in the study, 89% were married, 25% were primiparous, and 52% were multiparous. More than 50% were illiterate, 91% unemployed, and 90% had hospital delivery. Of the total 770 mothers, only 55% received proper antenatal care during pregnancy, of which only 40% were counseled about breastfeeding. Regarding knowledge and attitude about breastfeeding, majority females (71.4%) considered breast milk as best food for a newborn, which was better in younger women <20 years (86%). Regarding breastfeeding behavior, only 45% mothers initiated breastfeeding within one hour of delivery, which was worse in home delivered mothers (25%). Most (82%) mothers fed colostrum to their babies but 27% of mothers gave pre-lacteal feeds. Illiterate mothers (56.3%), mothers with only primary education (70%), and unemployed mothers (53.85%) continued to do exclusive breastfeeding without initiating complementary feeds even after six months. Conclusion(s): Although breastfeeding is practiced by a majority of mothers in a developing country like India, there is a significant gap in knowledge and optimal breastfeeding behaviors. Healthy breastfeeding behavior can be encouraged among mothers by proper counseling by health care workers and organizing educational programs focusing women especially with low education and limited resources.

Knowledge, attitude, and breast-feeding practices of postnatal mothers in Jammu: A community hospital based cross sectional study

“…Studies from various parts of India have reported different rates of pre lacteal feeds viz 4.3%, 27%, 32.03%, 50.81%. [ 14 22 23 24 ] In our study, the rate of pre lacteal feeds was 65.1%. Family customs and pressure from relatives might be the possible reasons for giving pre lacteal feeds.…”

“…[ 13 ] Almost all the mothers 98.3% believed that breast feeding boosts mother and child bonding. This is large number as compared to the findings of studies conducted by Priya Sultania et al (71%)[ 14 ] and Eman S Mohd et al (78.6%). [ 15 ] Colostrum was given to 60.7% babies which is less than that reported by studies done in Madhya Pradesh (82%) and Varanasi (90%).…”

Exclusive breastfeeding among Saudi mothers: Exposing the substantial gap between knowledge and practice

“…The questionnaire was developed by the researchers to explore predictors of exclusive breastfeeding and participants’ knowledge about it. The items were adapted from recent standardized inventories exploring breastfeeding knowledge and attitudes in the Middle Eastern,[12] Asian,[13] and African regions. [14] It was adapted further by senior neonatologists, pediatricians, family physicians, and public health research experts.…”

An assessment of knowledge and practices of breastfeeding among mothers having child less than 2 years of age in a city of central Uttar Pradesh, India

“…Rahalkar et al and Sultania et al reported that only 50.6% and 45% babies were breastfed within an hour respectively. 12,15 A predominant majority of mothers (91%) knew that breastfeeding should be continued for 2 years and 105 (72.9%) intended to breastfeed up to 24 months. These findings were consistent with study by Chaudhary et al that found 75% mothers were aware that they should continue breastfeeding till the age of 2 years.…”