A study to assess knowledge and attitudes on breast feeding of postnatal mothers in district General Hospital, Monaragala

Abstract

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: To describe the attitudes and knowledge on breast feeding of the postnatal mothers at District General Hospital (DGH), Monaragala. METHODS: Descriptive study was conducted at DGH-Moneragala from October to December 2010. Mothers of alternate babies admitted to the postnatal ward or mother baby unit were recruited to the study after obtaining written consent. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered, pre-tested questionnaire containing questions on socio-demographic data and attitudes and knowledge related to breast feeding on discharge or on the 7 postnatal day. Knowledge on breast feeding was scored from 0-10 using a 10-item questionnaire, with higher scores representing better knowledge. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of Uva Clinical Society. RESULTS: Data on 405 mothers were analysed of which 14.1% were aged less than 20 years, 80.5% had studied beyond grade 11, 54.8% had a monthly income more than Rs.l0, 000/=. Majority (89.6%) had received advice on breast feeding from midwife or nurse. Over 90% were aware of the concepts of exclusive breast feeding and demand feeding. But only 60% knew that the breast milk could be kept in the room temperature for 6 hours. 254 (62.7%) obtained a score above 8 on knowledge on breast feeding. Significantly higher proportion of mothers below the age of 20 years (X 2=10.0, /7=0.002), educated below grade 11 (Z 2=25.6, p<0.001), from families with monthly income Rs<10,000/= (X 2-9.3, p-0.003) and with one child (X 2=6.29,p=0.013) had scores below 8. CONCLUSIONS: Mothers with lower educational level, lower family income, aged below 20 years and with a single child had worse knowledge on breast feeding. Nearly half of the mothers did not have a good knowledge on storage of expressed breast milk.