Knowledge, attitude and practices regarding breastfeeding and infant milk substitutes among mothers of upper middle-class society in a baby friendly hospital initiative accredited hospital of New Delhi, India
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Date
2020-01
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Medip Academy
Abstract
Background: Exclusive breastfeeding is considered a major public health intervention to promote both child and maternal health. Introduction and awareness of infant milk substitutes among mothers appear as a threat to this important practice.Methods: The study is an observational cross-sectional study using a questionnaire containing socio-demographic variables. The study was conducted among 300 mothers who reported to immunization clinic and paediatrics OPD of a BFHI accredited hospital in Delhi. Data collected in the study has been analysed using SPSS version 21.0 and MS-Excel. Student 't' test for quantitative variables and 'chi square test' for categorical variable have been used for statistical significance. p-value <0.05 was considered to be significant.Results: In this study 78.7% mothers intended to breastfeed. 71.3% knew that breastfeeding should be continued up to 2 years and 96.3% knew exclusive breastfeed should be given till 6months. Major source of knowledge were doctors and elders of society. However, 49.6% mothers started breastmilk substitutes before 6 months of age. Major causes that appeared as barriers against exclusive breastfeeding were insufficient quantity of milk (23.4%), child refusal (61%) and maternal health problems (15.6%).Conclusions: Despite good knowledge about breastfeeding among upper middle-class mothers, practice of exclusive breastfeeding remains suboptimal. There is a need for more reinforcement upon importance of breastfeeding, its benefits for both mother and baby so as to foster the practice.
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Keywords
Baby friendly hospital initiative, Breast feeding, Infant milk substitutes, Knowledge, Practice
Citation
Gangwal Maansi, Nair Bindu T., Singh Varun Kumar. Knowledge, attitude and practices regarding breastfeeding and infant milk substitutes among mothers of upper middle-class society in a baby friendly hospital initiative accredited hospital of New Delhi, India. International Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics. 2020 Jan; 7(1): 173-179