KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF BREAST FEEDING TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL OF LUCKNOW CITY: CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

D. C. Khare*, Virendra Singh, Pratap Shankar, Dheeraj Singh, Preet Lakuhani, Sachin Tutu, Amod Kumar, R. K. Dixit

ABSTRACT

Background: breast milk has the complete nutritional requirements that a baby needs for health development. It is one the most cost effective ways to reduce infant morbidity and mortality from diarrheal disease, respiratory disease and other infections. Although it is now widely accepted that breast milk is the best for the baby, it is also a well-known fact that exclusive breastfeeding rates in early infancy are still too low. Aims & Objectives: To study the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding exclusive breast feeding in the obstetric wards of a tertiary care hospital of Lucknow city. Methods: A cross sectional study carried out from March 2015 to June 2010. It included 200 Post natal mothers from the maternity wards of a tertiary care hospital in Lucknow city. Mothers were interviewed within 7 days after the birth of the child. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire. Results: 80.1% mothers agreed to the fact that mother’s milk alone is the best food for the newborn. 35 % were in favour of initiating breast feeding within one hour of delivery. 67.5 % mothers were in favour of continuing breast feeding till at least 6 months. The practice of prelacteal feed was observed in 33% mothers. Conclusion: The study indicated that although the mothers have knowledge about the importance of early initiation of breast feeding but still the practice is poor because of many reasons. Health care professionals and policy makers should work in this field.

Keywords: Breast feeding, knowledge, motivation.