Saudi Journal of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences (SJMPS)
Volume-2 | Issue-12 | 364-368
Original Research Article
Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Breastfeeding in Rural Areas of Aligarh
Uzma Eram, Tamanna Z
Published : Dec. 26, 2016
Abstract
Breast milk is also called life fluid for the baby. Exclusive breastfeeding has a number of benefits. The breast milk provides up to half or more of the child’s nutritional needs during the second half of the first year and up to one-third during the second year of life. Exclusive breastfeeding is also beneficial for mother also. Colostrum is the first immunization of infants. Exclusive breast feeding (EBF) reduces the infant deaths caused by diarrhea and pneumonia and helps space births. Universalizing early (within one hour) and exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months reduces neonatal and infant mortality. A cross-sectional study was conducted during May –June in 2015 in the rural areas of registered villages of Rural Health Training Centre of the Department of Community Medicine, Aligarh. The study population comprised of mothers who had infant aged between 0 to 12 months. Informed consent was taken from each participant. A total of 70 mothers were selected for the study. Questionnaires were prepared for the study. Data was collected and analyzed using SPSS software. Most of the mothers started breast feeding within an hour. Most of the mothers breast fed their babies till the baby sleeps or leaves on its own. Most of the mothers breast fed their babies on demand only and few breast-fed on regular intervals .87.1% of mothers breast fed their babies from both sides and 12.8% of mothers breast-fed from one side only.55.7% of mothers practiced exclusive breast feeding for 6 months while 44.2% did not practice.97.1% of mothers gave colostrum and did not discard. Most of the mothers knew the advantages of breast-feeding.90% of mothers knew about weaning time and 91.4% of mothers knew that breast feeding could be continued even after weaning .The main source of information was community health workers like ASHAs, Aaganwaadi workers, followed by doctors. It is concluded from the study that most of the rural women are aware about breastfeeding. It is definitely the hard work of community health workers, ASHAs etc. Health education regarding EBF should be given to pregnant females when they come for check-up.