Descriptive Study to Assess the Knowledge on Practice regarding Breast feeding among Postnatal Women seeking Medical Services in Shri Vinoba Bhave Civil Hospital, Silvassa

 

Mrs. Chinchu R.1*, Ms. Tripal A. Chaudhari2, Mr. Sijo ME1

1Sister Tutor, B.Sc. Nursing, Shri Vinoba Bhave College of Nursing, Silvassa

2Sister Tutor, M.Sc. (N) Child Health Nursing, Shri Vinoba Bhave College of Nursing, Silvassa

*Corresponding Author Email: chinjusme@gmail.com

 

ABSTRACT:

Breast feeding is a mother’s gift for herself, her baby and earth. Breastfeeding is an instinctual, natural act and an art that is learned day by day. It is an unequalled way of providing ideal food for the healthy growth and development of infants. Mothers have many doubts and fears about breastfeeding and caring for their young ones. As breast feeding has so many advantages for mothers as well as children but having inadequate knowledge of mothers, because of lack of time and superstitious beliefs they neglect it. Hence, this study focused to assess the knowledge on breast feeding practice among postnatal women.

Quantitative approach with descriptive survey design was used. By convenient sampling technique 65 postnatal women were selected. Data were collected by using check list regarding knowledge on breast feeding practice and it was analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. Socio- demographic variable of Post natal Women shows that maximum women (69.23%) were in 21-25 years of age and most of the women (55.38%) were primary educated. Most of the women (60%) were Home maker. More than half of the husbands (60%) were private employee. Majority of the women (41.53.0%) were having family monthly income of Rs. <5000. Maximum women (53.84%) were living in joint family. Majority women (89.23%) were belongs to Hindu religion, more than half women (52.30%) were non-vegetarian, maximum (55.38%) were Primigravida. Most of the women (75.38%) were from tribal area and most of the women (83.07%) were got knowledge on breast feeding practices from health care personal. Most of the Post natal Women (59%) were having very good knowledge on breast feeding practice.  The chi square value showed that there was a no significant association between the findings and socio- demographic variables.

 

KEY WORDS: Knowledge on breast feeding practice, Post natal women, Check list and Chi square test.

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

Infants need to receive preparation for an active and useful life, as well as protection from various diseases, hazards and handicaps to which they are generally more vulnerable than adults.

 

The nutritional needs of a normal full-term baby have been found to be adequately met by the breast milk of a healthy mother for the first four to six months of life, scientific evidence abound on the unique life sustaining properties of  breast milk, which no other substitute  possesses. However, breast-feeding is a matchless way of providing ideal food for the healthy growth and development of infants, having a distinct emotional and biological influence on the health of both mother and child. Mature breast milk and its precursor, the colostrums (produced in the first few days after birth) provides babies with a free and safe nutritious food which also provides protection against infection.1 According to the WHO recommendations,3 factors are needed  to reduce infant mortality rates, namely initiation of breast feeding within 1hour of birth, practicing exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months and proper supplementation at 6 months.2

 

Major problems exist among the post natal mother would be ignorant of mothers regarding breast care and breast feeding lead to suppression of lactation. Due to inadequate breast feeding maternal problems like breast engorgement, mastitis, breast abscess, cracked and sore nipple and sub involution of uterus results with higher risk of post partum hemorrhage.  New born once not supplied with breast milk were at risk of getting Gastrointestinal tract infection and respiratory tract infection, iron deficiency anemia, allergy disorders and it gradually increases Neonatal Mortality Rate.3             

 

Children who are not breastfed appropriately have repeated infections, grow slowly, and are almost six times more likely to die by the age of one month compared to children who receive at least some breast milk..Hence, the researcher felt the need to assess the knowledge of breast feeding among mothers.4

 

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY:

In the last two decades, child mortality has decreased considerably, but close to 7 million children under five years of age still die each year, mainly from preventable causes.  Of those, newborn deaths now represent nearly half of all child deaths under five years.  Immediate breastfeeding – putting the baby to the mother’s breast within an hour after birth – would significantly reduce neonatal mortality. Optimal breastfeeding of infants under two years of age has the greatest potential impact on child survival of all preventive interventions, with the potential to prevent over 800,000 deaths (13 per cent of all deaths) in children under five in the developing world (Lancet 2013).  Breastfed children have at least six times greater chance of survival in the early months than non-breastfed children.  An exclusively breastfed child is 14 times less likely to die in the first six months than a non-breastfed child, and breastfeeding drastically reduces deaths from acute respiratory infection and diarrhoea, two major child killers (Lancet 2008)5

 

Semi structured surveys were conducted on “A study of knowledge, attitude and practices (kap) of lactating mothers on breast feeding, weaning immunization and dietary practices at Jabalpur cantonment, India” A study of 105 Lactating Mothers were interviewed than pretested Performa thus collected were analyzed. The study revealed that 44.7% infants were mostly on breastfeed. In 75.23% lactating mothers, breast milk was initially given as the first feed, weaning among 69 children started mostly between 4 to 6 months. Immunizations Awareness" amongst mothers was found to be complete except one. Maternal child health-related knowledge, Attitude and Practice is somewhat insufficient and urgent intervention is required to implement local educational programs for women of child-bearing age.6

 

OBJECTIVES:

·         To assess the Knowledge on practice regarding breast feeding among postnatal women

·         To find out the association between the findings and selected Socio- demographic variables

 

OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS:

1.       Knowledge on Breast feeding Practices: 

It refers to the activities followed or undertaken by the postnatal women while breast feeding their babies. It was assessed by using checklist which narrates the steps of breast feeding practice.

2.       Postnatal Women: It refers to mother who delivered their baby and come for follow up in the postnatal OPD at SVBCH, Silvassa. 

 

ASSUMPTIONS:

1.       Postnatal mothers may practice breast feeding techniques to some extent

2.       Multipara mothers can demonstrate breast feeding practices better than the primi para Mothers

 

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Research Approach: A quantitative research approach was adopted for this study to assess the Knowledge on breast feeding practice

Design: A descriptive research design was adapted

 

Research setting: The study was conducted in the Gynaec Ward and postnatal OPD of Shri Vinoba Bhave Civil Hospital, Silvassa

 

Target Population: The target population of the study comprised of all the Postnatal mothers seeking medical services at Shri Vinoba Bhave Civil Hospital, Silvassa

 

Sample and Sampling Technique: The sample consists of 65 postnatal women. Non probability Convenient sampling technique was used to draw sample from the population.

 

Data Collection Method:

Interview schedule was used to collect the data

Tool: Check list regarding knowledge on breastfeeding practice was used to collect the data. It consists of 10 step by step items.

DESCRIPTION OF THE TOOL:

The tool used for data collection was checklist regarding knowledge on breastfeeding

It is divided into two sections:

Part – A: Socio- Demographic Data:

Consists of thirteen items of demographic data such as Age of the mother, Education of mother, Occupational Status of Mother, Occupational Status of husband, Family income per month (in Rs), Type of family, Religion, Dietary pattern of the woman, Parityand Source of information on breast feeding practice.

 

Part- B: checklist regarding knowledge on breastfeeding

Checklist consists of 10 steps to assess the Knowledge on breast feeding practice among postnatal women seeking medical services in Shri Vinoba Bhave Civil hospital, Silvassa

 

Plan of data analysis:

Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to calculate the analysis from the samples.

 

RESULTS:

The data collected was entered in a master sheet and analyzed and interpreted using descriptive and inferential statistics. The data was organized and presented under the following section:

Section I: Distribution of postnatal women according to their Socio-demographic variables

Section II:  knowledge on breast feeding practice among the postnatal women

Section IV: Association between knowledge on breast feeding practice and selected socio- demographic variables

 

Table 1: Shows that maximum Post natal Women (69.23%) were in 21-25 years of age and most of the Post natal Women (55.38%) were primary educated. Most of the Post natal Women (60%) were homemaker. More than half of the husbands (60%) were private employee.

Table-1. Distribution of postnatal women according to their Socio-demographic variables                                                           N=65

S.No.

Demographic Variables

Frequency

Percentage

1

Age in years

a.        ≤ 20 years

b.        21 to 25 years

c.        26 to 30 years

d.        31 to 35 years

 

6

45

13

1

 

9.23%

69.23%

20%

1.53%

2

Educational Qualification

a.        Primary

b.        Secondary

c.        No Formal education

d.        Graduate

 

36

23

5

1

 

55.38%

35.38%

7.69%

1.53%

3

Occupation of mother

Un Employ

Government Employ

Private

Self Employ

 

39

2

20

4

 

60%

3.07%

30.76%

6.15%

4

 Occupation of husband

Un Employ

Government Employ

Private

Self Employ

 

15

4

39

7

 

23.07%

6.15%

60%

10.76%

5

Income

Less than 5000

5000-10000

10001-20000

More than 20001

 

27

26

9

3

 

41.53%

40%

13.84%

4.61%

6

Type of family

Nuclear

Joint

 

30

35

 

46.15%

53.84%

7

Religion

Hindu

Muslim

Others (Christian)

 

58

5

2

 

89.23%

7.69%

3.07%

8

Dietary pattern

Veg

Non-veg

Mix

 

28

34

3

 

43.07%

52.30%

4.61%

9

Para

Primi

Multi

Grand multi

 

36

27

2

 

55.38%

41.53%

3.07%

10

Residents

Non tribal

Tribal

 

16

49

 

24.61%

75.38%

11

Sources of information

Health personal

Mass media

 

54

11

 

83.07%

16.92%

 

 

 

 

Figure-1 Bar graph showing knowledge on breast feeding among the Post natal Women.

 

Majority of the Post natal Women (41.53.0%) was having family monthly income of Rs. <5000. Maximum Post natal Women (53.84%) were from joint family. Majority Post natal Women (89.23%) were belongs to Hindu religion, more than half Post natal Women (52.30%) were non-vegetarian, Maximum (55.38%) were Primi gravida. Most of the Post natal Women (75.38%) were from tribal area and most of the women (83.07%) were got knowledge on breast feeding practices through health care personal.

 

Show that Most of the Post natal Women (59%, 9-10 marks) were having very good knowledge, 23% (7-8 marks) were having good knowledge, 6% (5-6 marks)were having poor knowledge(1-2 marks ) and no one has very poor knowledge.

 

Table 2: Shows that level of knowledge according to demographic variables of the samples and calculated ‘χ˛’ and table value. All demographic variables and level of knowledge are associated in which the table value   is greater than the calculated ‘χ˛’ value   at 0.05 level of significance. Hence it can be inferred that all demographic variables has no significant effect on the Knowledge of samples regarding breast feeding practice.

 

Table-2 Association between knowledge on breast feeding practices and socio-demographic variables              N=65

Sr No.

Demographic variables

Frequency (f)

х2 Value

df

‘p’ value

Inference

1

Age in years

e.        ≤ 20 years

f.         21 to 25 years

g.        26 to 30 years

h.        31 to 35 years

 

6

45

13

1

 

 

6.41

 

 

9

 

 

0.698

 

 

Non Significant

2

Educational Qualification

e.        Primary

f.         Secondary

g.        No Formal education

h.        Graduate

 

36

23

5

1

 

 

8.091

 

 

 

9

 

 

 

 

0.525

 

 

 

 

 

Non Significant

3

Occupation of mother

Un Employ

Government Employ

Private

Self Employ

 

39

2

20

4

 

 

6.4

 

 

9

 

 

0.699

 

 

Non Significant

4

 Occupation of husband

Un Employ

Government Employ

Private

Self Employ

 

15

4

39

         7

 

 

2.051

 

 

9

 

 

0.990

 

 

Non

Significant

5

Income

Less than 5000

5000-10000

10001-20000

More than 20001

 

27

26

9

3

 

 

7.617

 

 

9

 

 

0.573

 

 

Non

Significant

6

Type of family

Nuclear

Joint

 

30

35

 

0.978

 

3

       

0.806

Non

Significant

7

Religion

Hindu

Muslim

Others (Christian)

 

58

5

2

 

4.007

 

6

 

 

0.675

 

Non

Significant

8

Dietary pattern

Veg

Non-veg

Mix

 

28

34

3

 

3.353

 

6

 

0.763

 

Non

Significant

9

Para

Primi

Multi

Grand multi

 

36

27

2

 

2.062

 

6

 

0.913

 

Non

Significant

10

Residents

Non tribal

Tribal

 

16

49

 

0.481

 

3

 

0.923

Non

Significant

11

Sources of information

Health personal

Mass media

 

54

11

 

2.529

 

3

 

0.470

Non

Significant

 

 

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1.       A similar study can be replicated on a large sample covering the other district hospital

2.       A Study to assess the Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Employed Mothers regarding Breast Feeding in Selected areas of Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

3.       A comparative study can be done to find out the effect on different teaching methods in improving knowledge, practice and attitude of Mother.

 

CONCLUSION:

From the findings of present study following conclusions were drawn:

1.       Post natal Women  were having very good level of knowledge on breast feeding practice

2.        Demographic variables have no significant effect on the Knowledge of samples regarding breast feeding practice.

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENT:

The researcher thankful to the post natal mother who participated in the study

 

REFERENCES:

1.        Ademola M Amosu, Adenike M Degun, Adebo M Thomas, Abraham O, Babalola. A study of the knowledge and support level of breast-feeding among the workers in formal employment in South-Western Nigeria. Available from http://scholarsresearchlibrary.com/aasr-vol3-iss2/AASR-2011-3-2-237-244.pdf

2.        Sharanya B. Shetty and Sudarshan Shetty K. kap study of factors promoting breastfeeding in nursing mothers and pregnant women. Available from http://www.nitte.edu.in/journal/September%202013/KOFPBIN.pdf

3.        Gayatri Devi .A study to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of employed mothers regarding breast feeding in selected areas of raichur. Available from www.rguhs.ac.in/cdc/onlinecdc/uploads/05_N019_1823.doc

4.        Lucen Afrosea, Bilkis Banua, Kazi R Ahmeda, Khurshida Khanom. Factors associated with knowledge about breastfeeding among female garment workers in Dhaka city. Available from http://www.searo.who.int/publications/journals/seajph/whoseajphv1i3p249.pdf?ua=1

5.        UNICEF. National center for women and children’s Health, china CDC. Available from http://www.unicef.org/nutrition/index_24824.html

6.        R.Harnagle1 and P.S. Chawla. A study of knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of lactating mothers on breast feeding, weaning immunization and dietary practices at Jabalpur cantonment, India. Available from http://www.ijcmas.com/vol-2 11/R.Harnagle%20and%20P.S.%20Chawla.pdf

7.        Dorothy R. Marlow. Text book of pediatric nursing, 6th edition. , Noida: Elsevier Publication; 2009.

8.        Parul Datta. Pediatric Nursing. 2nd ed. New Delhi: Jaypee Brothers; 2012

 

 

 

Received on 15.01.2015          Modified on 19.05.2015

Accepted on 26.06.2015          © A&V Publication all right reserved

Int. J. Nur. Edu. and Research 3(3):July-Sept., 2015; Page 248-252

DOI: 10.5958/2454-2660.2015.00002.2