Knowledge, practice of mothers about breast feeding & determinants of exclusive breastfeeding in east odisha region of India.

Dr Dillip Kumar Dash; Dr M.D Mohanty; Dr Naresh chandra  achary; Dr Pratik swain; Dr sandeep Mishra

Volume : V, Issue : VI, June - 2016

Knowledge, practice of mothers about breast feeding & determinants of exclusive breastfeeding in east odisha region of India.

Dr Dillip Kumar Dash, Dr M. D Mohanty, Dr Naresh Chandra Achary, Dr Pratik Swain, Dr Sandeep Mishra

Abstract :

 Breast feeding is the safest, simplest, healthiest, least allergic, least expensive and best infant feeding method. It has nutritional, immunological, behavioural and economic benefits and also provide desirable mother infant bonding. The World Health Organization recommends the practice of exclusive eastfeeding of infants for the first 6 months after birth. Breastfeeding fulfils the infant’s needs for nutrition and growth and it also reduces child morbidity and mortality. Although eastfeeding is a common practice in India, several factors like some cultural beliefs and misconceptions etc. affect poor east feeding practices. Most of the people do not properly understand the importance of the knowledge about eastfeeding how it should be given, the timings, duration, correct techniques and appropriate time of weaning mother’s milk. The study was taken up to assess the knowledge, attitude and actual practices of eastfeeding in the mothers of children less than 2 years of age who attended well–baby clinic for Immunization. This was a Observational (Cross–sectional) study at well–baby clinic of IMS & SUM Hospital, Bhubaneswar, Odisha for 12 months period. 786 mothers who visited the well–baby clinic for immunization whose children were less than 2 years of age were part of the cohort. Predesigned and pretested questionnaire were used to interview the mothers. Objective: The aim of the study to estimate the situation of eastfeeding in eastern part of Orissa among mothers of children less than 2 years of age who attended the well–baby clinic of IMS & SUM Hospital, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, and to determine variables associated to major risks for early weaning. Material & Methods: In this cross sectional study, 786 mothers were selected for study from May 2015 to April 2016. This cross sectional study was carried out at the well–baby clinic of paediatrics OPD of IMS & SUM Hospital,Kalinga nagar , Bhubaneswar,odisha from 1st may 2015 to 30th april 2016 over a period of 12 months. Total 786 mothers having children’s aged less than two years of age was interviewed. The data regarding participant’s demography and practices towards east feeding were collected from the mothers on predesigned and pre–tested questionnaire. A verbal consent was taken from the respondent before collecting the information. Results: Knowledge of initiation of eastfeeding within half an hour to one hour of birth was there in 74.30% mothers and 76.59% had an idea about the importance of colostrum. The meaning of Exclusive eastfeeding was known to 61.06% while almost 74.30% mothers initiated eastfeeding within half an hour to one hour of birth, 76% fed colostrum to their new–borns,60.55% were practicing exclusive eastfeeding for first 6 months and 87.78% were practicing night feeds. Inappropriate attachment and positioning was observed in 53% of mothers. Around 60% started weaning (supplementary feeding) after 6 months of baby’s age. To give prelacteal feeds and few other cultural practices still prevalent in many areas and societies. The study showed that the mothers lacked knowledge regarding eastfeeding practices in several aspects i.e. pre knowledge about east feeding(81%), continuation of east feeding in mother or baby’s illness(50.50%), demand feeding((41%), east milk storage(21.37%), proper east feeding technique(47.07%) and many more which could be negotiated early during antenatal visits to the mothers and their relatives for support and sensitizing the health care givers to improve infrastructure for a successful exclusive eastfeeding initiation.