Breast Feeding Practices of Mothers: A study of Sansthagat Clinic

Abstract

The Research was about the practice of breast feeding among mothers of Pokhara valley at EPI (Expanded program on Immunization) clinics of Sansthagat clinic of D.P.H.O. (District Public Health Office) Kaski as well as ward immunization clinics of Pokhara. The objective of the research was to explore practices of breast feeding mothers, duration, time, and continuation of breast feeding after weaning. The research was based on comparative study of CB-IMCI pattern in breast feeding as well as the status of socio-economic, cultural, educational, ethnical, urban and rural dweller breast feeding mothers. The study has adopted both exploratory as well as descriptive research design. The study was exploratory because it exposed the knowledge, attitude and practices of breast feeding mothers. The study was descriptive as it described different aspects of breast feeding. The research procedure was constructed via questionnaire, schedule and overt observation where their attitude, belief, religion, occupational, educational, age, occupational situations (domestic and abroad) were reflected. The target was set up via 155 mothers as first come first serve basis and 155 mothers were completed by asking questionnaire schedule in the field work. Informations were collected by asking questionnaire schedule but some practical procedures were written by observing mothers activities during field work. Hence, observation method was also espoused. This research has explored that many migrant workers came from various parts of the nation especially to western region, because the western regional development center is Pokhara which is undergoing through fast urbanization thus creating ventures for jobs and opportunities. Breast feeding mothers were wife of military personals, service holders etc. Most of the business holders were goldsmith (sunars) who were having relatively high economic status. The study deduced that breast feeding mothers have highest number of knowledge about colostrums 85.16 percentage and feeding 90.96 percentage, women feeding no colostrums have 9.03 percent only. Among 155 respondents 53 have fed other food except breast feeding and 102 have used exclusive breastfeeding hence making 65.80 percentage, which is higher than national exclusive breastfeeding rate e.g. 53 percentage. However, due to the various situations, mothers have not attended proper positional, attachment of breast feeding. This research finding identified relationship between mother’s breastfeeding knowledge, counseling skills, and professional careers and education of breastfeeding mothers. This research study also explored the relationship between breast feeding behavior and social, cultural and economic and educational status of breast feeding women’s family. Dominant cultures and attitudes also affected breastfeeding promotion and support. Likewise norms, rituals and traditions of a culture are to a great extent hindering the lactation of first milk colostrums by the babies as it is popular belief among different caste/ethnicities not to offer colostrums milk to the baby. Among the respondents 143 (92.25) explained clearly about need, importance and qualities of nutrients in breast milk. Few respondents 12(7.74%) replied that they are unknown about breast feeding at all and had not fed colostrums (initial nutrients breast milk) initially after child birth. The indication is cultural practices of breast feeding in their community which is hindering them from feeding colostrums to their infants. Many mothers claimed that it is their belief that colostrums is indigestible to child and they believe that the pure milk comes after squeezing the first bulky milk e.g. colostrums. This study helped in understanding that the heart of much exploration in applied human nutrition and nutritional anthropology is the matter of food intake. Food is, after all, the carrier for most nutrients consumed by humans, and the specification of nutrient intake requires quantitative data on food consumption. Even when public interests are on patterns of food consumption, rather than on nutrients, some type of behavioral record of consumption, beyond breast feeding mothers summary of "typical food intake” is a practical necessity which will help in regulating the breast milk for a baby and it is the breast milk which acts as life breath of the infant. At last, this study identifies key problems for a model medical home as Sansthagat clinic in fostering continuous, comprehensive, coordinated, culturally effective, and evidence-based breastfeeding promotion and support by incorporating the breast feeding mothers of all backgrounds.