Factors associated with knowledge about breastfeeding among female garment workers in Dhaka city.
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Date
2012-07
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Abstract
Background: Knowledge about breastfeeding among women is very important for healthy children.
The present study aims to determine the level of knowledge and factors associated with knowledge
on breastfeeding among female garment workers in a selected garment factory in Dhaka city.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 female garment workers in the
reproductive age group (15–49 years). Data were collected through a pre-tested questionnaire
using the face-to-face interview method. Bivariate and multivariate analysis was done to determine
the association between sociodemographic variables and knowledge on breastfeeding.
Results: The study showed that, overall the level of knowledge regarding breastfeeding is very poor
(88%) among the study subjects. Most of the respondents have very poor knowledge regarding
advantages of exclusive breastfeeding (89%) and breastfeeding (100%). In contrast, a majority
have good knowledge on duration of exclusive breastfeeding (74%) and breastfeeding (66%). No
significant association was found between the knowledge score of breastfeeding with remaining
socio-demographic variables like age, marital status, family income and expenditure. Education is
significantly (p<0.001) associated with a higher total knowledge score of breastfeeding. Women
with secondary level of education had a significantly higher (p<0.001) level of total knowledge
score than other categories (illiterate, primary and higher secondary) of education.
Conclusion: A large proportion of female garment workers had inadequate knowledge regarding
breastfeeding. It is also important that health education on breastfeeding is urgently provided to
the female garments workers of Bangladesh.
Description
Keywords
Knowledge, breastfeeding, female garment workers, sociodemographic factors
Citation
WHO South-East Asia Journal of Public Health 2012; 1(3): 249-255.