Knowledge and practice of mothers regarding breastfeeding-A hospital-based study

Abstract

Introduction: The first six months of an infant's life are critical in terms of mental and physical health development; therefore, the World Health Organization (WHO) encourages mothers to initiate breastfeeding early and keep exclusively alone in this period. Breastfeeding significantly reduces infant morbidity and mortality.

Objective: To assess the knowledge and practice of mothers regarding breastfeeding-A Hospital Based Study.

Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in OPD and Pediatric Ward at Uttara Adhunik Medical College Hospital (UAMCH), Uttara, Dhaka, Bangladesh from January to December 20212021. A total of 101 mothers of infants were enrolled in the study and non-probability consecutive sampling technique was used. Inclusion criteria included mothers of infants and premature babies born on 34 weeks of gestation and above requiring admission at the time of study, age up to 24 months of both genders, without any major birth defects such as congenital heart disease and cleft lip/cleft palate. Those not meeting up the inclusion criteria were excluded from the study.

Results: Out of 101 mothers, 75% (n=76) belonged to the age group 20-30 years, 13.8% (n=14) were of 30-40 years, 9.9% (n=10) were less than twenty years of age and 1% (n=1.9) were above forty years.  Table-1 describes the demographic characteristics of the infants. Half (49.5%) of the infants were from 2-12 months of age at the time of study. About fifty-seven percent infants were delivered through normal vaginal delivery. About 44% (n=67) mothers had only one child under five, 38% (n=58) had two children under five years of age, 15% (n=23) of mothers had three children under five while 3% (n=5) had four children under five years of age including the infant under study. There was a discrepancy between knowledge and practice. There was a low prevalence of exclusively breastfed infants up to six months. About 10% (n=11) of infants of age 6-12 months were wrongly exclusively breastfed although 81.1% knew age of weaning was six months, remaining were using other types of feeding alone or in combination with breastfeeding. About 54.4% (n=55) mothers were using formula milk but 58.1% (n=32) were aware of correct method of making formula feed i.e. 1 scoop in 1-ounce water. Similarly, there were 27.2% (n=15) of mothers gave buffalo/cow milk alone or in combination with breast milk but then again 8.6%(n=4) were over diluting it i.e. 1 part of buffalo/cow milk to 2 parts of water. Moreover, majority of the mothers showed encouraging attitude as 81.1% mothers considered breastfeeding to be more convenient than other types of feeding. There was an association of early initiation of breastfeeding with mode of delivery (p=0.034 i.e. p<0.05).

Conclusion: Majority of the mothers had the knowledge of breastfeeding. But there was a noticeable deficit in the implementation of knowledge in their breastfeeding practice. The percentage of exclusive breastfeeding practice was remarkably low. Mixed feeding was the predominant approach after exclusive breastfeeding in infants up to six months while third being the formula feeding.