Knowledge, attitudes, and breastfeeding practices of postnatal mothers in a tertiary health center

Abstract

world, such studies are limited among Indian mothers [7]. Thus, the present study was undertaken to examine the infant feeding practices, knowledge, and attitude toward breastfeeding among Indian postnatal mothers in a tertiary health center. MATERIALS AND METHODSThe study was a hospital-based cross-sectional study carried out among postnatal mothers who attended immunization clinic and pediatric outpatient department with their children for vaccination and for the treatment of minor illnesses at a tertiary care hospital during the period of 3 months from January to March 2018.Study participants were selected through random sampling method of the database of children attending the pediatric outpatient department. Those who met the inclusion criteria were interviewed. Mothers of healthy infants aged 6 months, born between 37 and 42 weeks of gestation, and who volunteered to participate, were included in the study. The exclusion criteria were mothers of infants with major birth defects such as cleft lip, cleft palate, Down syndrome, and congenital heart disease.The sample size was calculated by taking an estimated mean=12.05 and SD=1.74 for knowledge from the previous ABSTRACT Background: Breastfeeding has several benefits for both the infants and mothers. Despite strong evidences supporting breastfeeding, its prevalence has remained low worldwide. Objective: The objective of the study was to examine the knowledge and attitude toward breastfeeding and infant feeding practices among the Indian postnatal mothers. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out among randomly selected postnatal mothers at pediatric outpatient department at a tertiary care center. Data were collected by face-to-face interview using a structured questionnaire. Results: Our study showed that a majority of mothers (92%) of mothers were breastfeeders. However, 72% of the mothers were exclusive breastfeeders and 74% of mothers initiated breastfeeding within an hour. While mothers had good knowledge on breastfeeding (11.45±3.45), the average score of the Iowa Infant Feeding Scale (60.45±4.75) indicates neutral attitudes toward breastfeeding. Conclusion: Our findings show that though the frequency of exclusive breastfeeding was high compared to other studies, the gap should be filled. Thus, it is important to provide prenatal education to mothers on breastfeeding. We also recommend strengthening the public health education campaigns to promote breastfeeding.