AWARENESS OF MOTHERS REGARDING DURATION AND BENEFITS OF BREASTFEEDING

Abstract

Background: A mother’s knowledge with the right attitude and practice is the key to successful breastfeeding. Female awareness in breastfeeding contributes towards reduction of child mortality. This study was conducted to assess with effects of literacy on the knowledge, duration and benefits of breastfeeding
Material & Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in Paediatrics and Gynaecology wards of three tertiary care hospitals of Peshawar from January to March- 2016, on 100 married women with socio demographic research variables. Self administered questionnaire used with a scale of 100, responses of the mothers were recorded with score of 50 as optimal, more than 50% as good knowledge and less than 50 as poor knowledge. Data analyzed by computing chi square test in software Statistical stata – Version SPSS 12.1 with significance level set at 0.05.
Results: Among study participants 25(25%) were educated, 25(25%) partially educated and 50(50%) were uneducated. Exclusive breastfeeding duration known to only 40(40%), however 54(54%) knew the duration of breastfeeding. Ninety (90%) women knew breastfeeding reduces child’s infection and 80(80%) knew the contraceptive benefit of breastfeeding. Knowledge of prevention of breast cancer, post partum bleeding and osteoporosis were found to be deficient. Breastfeeding knowledge in medication and Hepatitis- B was 58(58%) and 59(59%) respectively, however deficient knowledge was demonstrated in tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. The effects of literacy upon knowledge, duration and benefits of breast feeding were non- significant among the study population.
Conclusion: Mothers demonstrated good knowledge (more than 50%) on benefits of breastfeeding, optimal (50%) knowledge in duration of breastfeeding but deficient (less than 50%) knowledge regarding colostrum and post partum bleeding benefits of breastfeeding.