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Research Paper | Nursing | India | Volume 14 Issue 2, February 2025 | Popularity: 6 / 10
Investigating Exclusive Breastfeeding Knowledge, Practices and Perceived Barriers among Post natal Women in the Zonal Hospital in West Bengal
Noorjahan, Cherian Leena E, Shanmughan S
Abstract: Introduction: Pregnancy and childbirth are the two important phases in women?s life. It is said a women takes a rebirth after delivering a child, and really this is true. Women enters the phase of motherhood, with motherhood comes the responsibilities, rearing the child, breastfeeding and exclusive breast feeding till 6 months. Aims & objectives: To assess exclusive breastfeeding knowledge, practices and perceived barriers among Post natal women in the Zonal Hospital in West Bengal. Material and Methods: A quantitative descriptive study conducted among the postnatal mothers admitted at the selected zonal hospital in West Bengal. Purposive convenient sampling technique was used for data collection. A self - administered structured questionnaire on knowledge, practice of exclusive breast feeding and perceived barriers to exclusive breast feeding were developed. Results: In this research conducted among 75 lactating mothers, 39.3% were between the age group 21 - 30yrs, 78.7% were housewives, 45.3% were graduates and 16% were equal to and less than matriculation.68% were living in joint family and 32% in nuclear family.78.7% had house help availability and 21.3% had no house help.94.7% were from non - health care background, 52% belonged to rural area and 48% belonged to urban.54.7% were multi para and 45.3% were primi mothers. Highest number of postnatal mothers 38.7% had poor knowledge on exclusive breast feeding, 34.7% had average knowledge and 27.6% had good knowledge on exclusive breast feeding.60% followed average level of exclusive breastfeeding practices and 22.7% followed good breast feeding practice.14.6% had high perceived barriers during exclusive breast feeding and 45.3% had moderate perceived barriers during exclusive breast feeding. There was a significant relationship between availability of house help to the postnatal mothers and practices. There was a significant correlation between knowledge & practice score, knowledge & barrier score & practice & barrier score with a p value< 0.0001. Conclusion: The study concluded that there is poor knowledge among postnatal mothers regarding exclusive breast feeding. It was observed that exclusive breast feeding within 1hour was just average. There were many perceived barriers among postnatal mothers regarding exclusive breast feeding and most common was mothers having less amount of breast milk. This study emphasizes the need for breastfeeding intervention program for the mothers during antenatal and postnatal checkups.
Keywords: Exclusive breast feeding, knowledge, practice, perceived barriers
Edition: Volume 14 Issue 2, February 2025
Pages: 1377 - 1382
DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.21275/SR25222142243
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