Knowledge, attitude, and breast-feeding practices of postnatal mothers in Jammu: A community hospital based cross sectional study

CONTEXT: In spite of convincing evidence of the benefits of breastfeeding, breast feeding rates are less than satisfactory, thus pinpointing large gaps, which need to be identified and addressed. AIMS: To examine the knowledge, attitude and practices of postnatal mothers towards breast feeding. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Community Hospital-based CrossSectional study. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The study was done for a period of 4 months among 178 women attending outpatient department of paediatrics. Data collection was done with the help of face to face interview using pre-tested pre-designed structured questionnaire having information about demographic profile of study participants and knowledge, attitude and practices of breast feeding. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The data was presented as frequencies and percentages. RESULTS: Majority (89.9%) of the mothers were breast feeding, however, only 42.7% of the mothers exclusively breast fed their kids. 82.5% of the mothers believe that cow's milk can be substituted for breast milk. All the mothers continue to breast fed their babies during sickness. Almost all respondents were aware of the importance of colostrum, while 80.3% had the misconception that they should stop breast feeding once when weaning was started. CONCLUSIONS: Mothers should be counselled during antenatal period and all the misconceptions regarding breast feeding should be appropriately addressed.