A descriptive comparative study to assess the knowledge, practices and factors affecting the breast feeding behavior of working and non-working breastfeeding mothers of selected area of Ambala, Haryana

Komal Rani; Amandeep Kaur; Adiba Siddiqui

Volume : VII, Issue : V, May - 2018

A descriptive comparative study to assess the knowledge, practices and factors affecting the breast feeding behavior of working and non-working breastfeeding mothers of selected area of Ambala, Haryana

Komal Rani, Amandeep Kaur, Adiba Siddiqui

Abstract :

Background:Breast feeding is more beneficial for the baby and the mother also. It provides the immunity to the baby and helping the mother to lose their weight after pregnancy and the east milk is a natural contraception for the mother.

Aims and objectives: The study aim to assess the knowledge,practice and factor affecting the feeding behavior of working and non–working eastfeeding mothers of selected area.

The objective is to assess and compare the knowledge, practices and factors affecting the feeding behavior of working and non– working eastfeeding mothers and to find the association of levels of knowledge of working and non– working eastfeeding mothers with selected variables.

Material and methods: A Non–experimental, Descriptive Comparative Design was adopted for the study.Total 250 eastfeeding mothers (125 working and 125non–working) Barara Village, MCH Barara and Holi Village were selected by using purposive sampling technique. Structured Knowledge questionnaire, expressed practices checklist and checklist for factors affecting feeding behavior were used to assess the knowledge, practices and factors affecting the feeding behavior. Reliability of knowledge questionnaire was tested by KR₂₀(0.75), eastfeeding practices checklist(0.90)and factors affecting checklist (0.85)was tested by test– retest method respectively.

Results: :–Half (50.4%) of the working eastfeeding mothers were in the age group of 26–30 years and as compare to half (49.6%) of the non–working eastfeeding mothers were in the age group of 20–25 years. Only 43.2% of the working eastfeeding mothers were graduated as compare to half of the (51.2%) non–working eastfeeding mothers were educated up to secondary.Most (68.8%) of the working eastfeeding mother were private employees as compared to all (100%) non–working eastfeeding mothers were house wife. Most (75.2%) of the working eastfeeding mothers work 5–6 hours in a day.Most (64.8%) of the working mothers have given only eastfeed to their baby. Only 18.4% working mothers had stored the east milk.Most (52%) of the working and (56.8%) non –working eastfeeding mothers have a good knowledge about eastfeeding. Majority (99.2%) of the working and (98.4%) non– working eastfeeding mothers prefers only east milk to feed their baby. Majority (99.2%), of the working and non–working (96.8%) eastfeeding mothers feed their baby every 2 hourly. All (100%) working and non–working eastfeeding mothers burp the baby after feed. Majority (99.2%) of working and (93.6%) non–working mothers reported their baby feel satisfy after feeding and take sleep for 2–3 hours. Less than half (40%) of the working eastfeeding mothers feel pain during eastfeeding as compared most (62.4%) of the non– working eastfeeding mothers. Majority(90.4%) of the working eastfeeding mothers feel shy during eastfeeding in public places and in front of family member as compared to most (72.8%) of the non–working eastfeeding mothers. Majority (93.6%) of the working and majority (95.2%) of non –working eastfeeding mothers stated health workers advised to give only east milk to the baby.

Conclusion:It was concluded that the knowledge of the working and nonworking eastfeeding mother was good. The eastfeeding practices were different in working and non–working eastfeeding mothers and some factors which act as a barrier during eastfeeding and affect the eastfeeding behavior of the working and non–working eastfeeding mothers..