Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of exclusive Breastfeeding (A Sociological Study on Breast Feedingmothers of lekhanath Municipality)

Abstract

Exclusive breastfeeding is the basis for appropriate nutrition for infants. However,there are differences in infant feeding knowledge, attitude, and practices in differentsocial groups, age, sex, education, economic condition of family and community.The aim of this study was to find out the determinants of knowledge, attitude, andpractice of exclusive breastfeeding and the prevalence of determinants of initiationand continuing exclusive breastfeeding until six months of age in LekhanathMunicipality. A descriptive, exploratory study of infant feeding practices was undertaken in MCHclinic Sishuwa PHC, Lekhanath municipality. Along with key informant’s interviewand focus group discussion, one hundred and eight mothers with six-months tounder-one-year infants participating in MCH clinic for immunizing their babieswere interviewed. Among large number of breastfeeding mothers learning exclusive breastfeedingfrom different sources, only sixty (55.6%) gave right meaning of exclusive breastfeeding as recommended by WHO. However, only 34(31.5%) mothers exclusivelybreast fed as recommended.Nearly half of the mothers had good knowledge aboutthe appropriate time to initiate breast feeding while just 35.2 percent mothersinitiated breast feeding withinone hour after birth. Educated mother were foundpossessing good knowledge of EBF but with less practice. Nearly all (95.4%)mothers fed colostrums milk to their infant which is a positive indicator in Nepalesecultural context. More than half (52.7%) mothers introduced food/fluid within sixmonths thinking that mother’s milk will be insufficient for the infants up to first sixmonths of age. Regarding mother’s age, 20-30 years age group mothers were foundadequately practicing EBF. Sex discrimination wasnot noticed in breast feedingpractice (30.4% male babies and 32.7% female babies were exclusively breast fed).Very few (3.7%) mothers thought that BF reduces mother’s beauty. Only two(1.85%) mothers had positive attitude on expressed breast milk. This indicatesnegative cultural attitude about expressed breast milk in this community. Mother’s education, family type, cast/ethnicity and mother’s parity in some extentare determinants of mother’s knowledge of EBF. Negative socio-cultural beliefs andnorms towards expressed breast milk and colostrums milk, thought of insufficiencyof breast milk are the determinants of mother’s attitude resulting poor EBF practice.Early marriage and child bearing, improper positioning and attachment duringbreast feeding, poor nutritional status of mother, government policy of maternityleave also affects EBF practice.