Knowledge, attitude and practice towards exclusive breast feeding among lactating mothers in a South Indian Hospital

ArunadeviV1, Viswanathan S2

1Dr Arunadevi. V, Assistant Professor, 2Dr. Viswanathan. S., Professor; both authors are affiliated with Department of Obstetrics Gynecology, Karpaga Vinayaga Institute of Medical Science and Research Centre, Madhuranthagam, Tamilnadu, India

Address for correspondence: Dr Arunadevi V, Email: draruna83@gmail.com

Abstract

Background: Exclusive breast feeding (EBF) isconsidered when the infant does not receive any additional food or nutriment other than breast milk. Aims and Objectives: The object of the study was to assess knowledge, attitude and practice towards EBF among lactating mothers in a south Indian hospital. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 mothers, attending outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital, Karpaga Vinayaga Institute of Medical Sciences over a period of one year. They were administereda structured questionnaire which sought such information as age, educational status, occupation, initiation of breast feeding, prelactealfeeding and knowledge and practice of exclusive breast feeding. Results: Exclusive breast feeding was given for six months by 77.3% of study population. Their knowledge to start early breast feeding wasgood (57.7%). Formula milk was the most commonly used top milk (25.7%). Not enough breast milk (38%) and baby didn’t drink well (15.3%) were the main reasons for stopping breastfeeding. Conclusion: Exclusive breastfeeding during approximately the first 6 months of life with continued breast feeding through at least the second half of infancy is associated with reduced risk of adverse outcomes in mother and infant.

Keywords: Exclusive breast feeding, Weaning, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice

Manuscript received: 16th June 2017, Reviewed: 26th June 2017
Author Corrected: 4th July 2017, Accepted for Publication: 10th July 2017

Introduction

Breast feeding and breast milk are the global standard for infant feeding in undevelopedand developed countries.This statement is supported by the World Health Organization, the U.S. Surgeon General, the American Academy of Pediatrics [1], the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists [2], the American Academy of Family Practice, and the Academy of Breast feeding Medicine. The American Academy of Pediatrics has recently published an endorsement for breastfeeding at least through the first year of life and as an exclusive method for the first 6 months [1]. Specific populations are at greater risk for the failure to initiate and continue breast feeding. Woman of lower socioeconomic status, those with less education, and teenagers initiate breast feeding at about half to two thirds the rate of mature high-school graduates of middle and upper socioeconomic statuses [3, 4]. Fortunately, since 1989 more women at greatest risk for feeding their infants artificial breast milk are initiating breast feeding in the hospital [4]. Human breast milk is uniquely suited to our biologic needs and remains the best source of nutrition for the human infant. Human breast milk has a composition very different than that of bovine milk or soybean plants from which artificial breast milk is produced [5]. Breast milk promotes optimal somatic growth and metabolic competence. Human breast milk is designed for more efficient and better digestion by the human infant than the bovine or soybean derived formula [5]. The nutritional differences between formula and human milk are reflected in differences in the growth patterns of infants who are exclusively breastfed for 4 to 6 months and infants who are fed formula artificial breast milk [6]. Breastfeeding enhances cognitive development. In high-risk premature neonates, human breast milk given by gavages in a dose-dependent fashion enhances the infant‘s later intelligence quotient (IQ) and performance on psychometric testing after controlling for maternal intelligence, family education, and socioeconomic status [7]. Breast feeding enhances infant response to infection and reduces allergic disease. Breast milk has a wide array ofanti-infective properties that will support the developing immune system. The major mechanisms for the protective properties of breast milk include active leukocytes, antibodies, antibacterial products, competitive inhibition, enhancement of nonpathogenic commensal organisms and suppression of proinflammatory immune responses [8] .Our aim for this study is to determine the knowledge, attitude and practice of mother towards exclusive breast feeding and the barriers that deprive mother from giving breast feeding.
 
Materials and Methods
 
Research design: After obtaining institutional ethical clearance, we conducted this observational study in Karpaga Vinayaga Institute of medical sciences, Tamil Nadu from September 2015 to September 2016.Three hundred mothers attending post-natal outpatient department were randomly selected. The awareness about benefits and practices of breastfeeding surveyed was a population based on cross sectional study of lactating mothers (n=300) who delivered at KIMS & RC.The study design incorporated both quantitative and qualitative methodologists to meet the aim in-depth descriptive information about knowledge, attitudeand practices of breastfeeding. A structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect data on socio demographic characteristics, attribute of breast feeding and the obstacles that deprive mother from giving breast feeding. The questionnaire was designed consisting of three parts: Part A: Sociodemographiccharacteristics, Part B: KAP of exclusive breastfeeding and Part C: Breastfeeding problems. Questionnaires were mixed with open-ended and closed ended questions.

Sample and Setting: This was a cross sectional descriptive study involving women of child bearing age who were currently breastfeeding at the time of the study or who had stopped breastfeeding not later than two years before (Inclusion Criterion) while mothers who never breastfed or were temporary visitors to the hospital were excluded from the study(exclusion criteria).

Data collection and Instruments: Data was collected using a comprehensive, pre-tested and structured interviewer-administered questionnaire which sought information as age, occupation, educational status, initiation of breastfeeding, prelacteal feeding & knowledge, attitude practice of EBF.

Procedure for Data Analysis: The data gathered were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The data analyses were analyzed into three parts of premises,which were the demographic details of the respondents, KAP of exclusive breastfeeding and barriers encountered for initiation of breastfeeding. Demographic details were analyzed through 4 premises, KAP of breastfeeding was measured through 16 premises and breast feeding problems were analyzed through 4 premises.

Limitations: The study did not explore the cultural determinants of breastfeeding which might have some influence on EBF.

Results

The majorities of the participants in the study (37.7%) were between 20-25 years and had two or more children (55.7%).

Table-1: Sociodemographic characteristics of study participants (n=300)

Characteristics

Frequency

Percentage

1.Maternal age

(years)

<20

65

21.7%

21-25

113

37.7%

26-30

92

30.6%

>31

30

10%

2.Maternal occupation

Govt employee

98

32.7%

House wife

117

39%

Daily laborer

64

21.3%

Student

21       

 7%

3.Maternal

education

Can’t read

50       

16.7%

Read&write

90

30%

1-8 yr

62

20.6%

9-12 yr

57

19%

College           

41

13.7%

4.Number of children

<2

133

44.3%

>2

167

55.7%

KAP of exclusive breastfeeding is given is Table 2. The majority 280 of study participants had received information about EBF (93.3%). Although 57.7% had the knowledge to initiate breastfeed within one hour of delivery, only 32.7%started giving breastfeeding. A good number of patients (18%) felt that colostrum is bad and 10.3% gave prelacteals before starting breastfeeding. Those who didn’t practice exclusive breastfeeding gave mainly Formula milk (25.7%). The majority of mothers said frequent sucking is helpful for milk production (78%). 86.3% of mothers responded that there is adequate breast milk if the child is satisfied. Weaning as recommended was started from six months of age by 91% of mothers. They gave breastfeeding hourly (23%), two hourly (36.7%) intervalsor whenever required (21.6%). 86.3% of mothers responded that there is adequate breast milk if the child is satisfied. 34% of mothers knew that EBF for six months protects their child from diarrhea. 37.3% mothers replied that EBF can be used as a contraceptive.

Table-2: KAP of exclusive breastfeeding

Attribute of Breastfeeding

Number

Percentage

1) Ever heard about EBF?

Yes

No

280

20

93.3%

6.7%

2) Source of Information about EBF?

Health Institution

195

65%

Friends

37

12.3%

Mass media

68

22.7%

3) Knowledge of time of starting Breast feeding.

Within 1 hour

173

57.7%

1-4 hours

82                        

27.3%

1-3 days

35

11.7%

1 week

10

3.3%

4) Practiceof time of

Starting Breastfeeding.

Within 1 hour

98

32.7%

1-4 hours

142

47.3%

1-3days

38

12.7%

1 week

22

7.3%

5) Whether Exclusive

Breastfeeding given?

Yes

268

89.3%

No

32

10.7%

 

6) Duration of Exclusive

Breastfeeding given.

 

3 months

34

11.3%

6 months

232

77.3%

9 months

22

7.4%

12 months

9

3%

18months

3

1%

7) KnowledgeaboutColostrums.

Good

246

82%

Bad

54

18%

8)Whether prelacteals

Given.

Given

31

10.3%

Not given

269

89.7%

 

9) Topfeeding used.

Formula milk

77

25.7%

Packaged milk

37

12.3%

Fresh cow’s milk

67

22.3%

None

119

39.7%

 10)Does frequent sucking help for milk production?

Yes

234

78%

No

66

22%

11) Howdid you know when there is adequate breast milk?

If the baby is satisfied

259

86.3%

Ifthe baby slept after feeding

41

13.7%

12) When was weaning started?

6 months

273

91%

1 year

27

9%

13) Was Breastfeeding continued after weaning?

Yes

287

95.7%

No

13

4.3%

 

14) Frequency of Breastfeeding

1 hr

69

23%

2 hr

110

36.7%

3 hr

42

14%

4 hr

14

4.7%

Whenever

required

65

 

21.6%

15) Does EBF for 6 months prevent child from diarrhea?

 Yes

102

34%

No

153

51%

Don’tknow

45

15%

16) Does EBF prevent pregnancy?

Yes

112

37.3%

No

64

21.4%

Don’t know

124

41.3%

Table 3 caters data about breastfeeding problems. Referred counselor for breastfeeding issues was usually a doctor (85%). Not enough breast milk (38%) was the main reason for discontinuing breastfeeding.

Table-3: Breastfeeding problems

Questions

Number

Percentage

1) Counselor to discuss Breastfeeding issues

Doctor

255

85%

Nurse

25

8.3%

Relative

20

6.7%

2) If stopped Breast feeding early, reason for stopping

No Breast milk

114

38%

Baby didn’t drink

46

15.3%

Mother become sick

16

5.3%

Don’t stop BF

124

41.4%

3) Mother’s satisfaction about BF

Fully satisfied,

236

78.7%

First satisfied not now

42

14%

Initially not

but later yes

 

13

4.3%

Satisfied

9

3%

4) Duration of burping after BF

5 minutes

118

39.3%

15minutes

87

29%

30minutes

33

11%

Till burping

62

20.7%

Discussion

The gynecologist plays a primary role in the initiation of breastfeeding [9].Obstetric intervention is often critical for the health of the mother or infant, and they may affect the success of lactation [10]. Caesarean delivery reduces the incidence of breastfeeding by 10% to 20% in the first week after birth. After most cesarean sections and difficult vaginal deliveries, the infant is not put to the breast immediately after birth nor will the mother breastfeedher infant more than eight times in the first 24 hours [11]. The frequency of early feeding is proportional to milk production and weight gain in neonates [12]. Therefore, supplementation with glucose or formula should be discouraged. Supplementation also undermines the mother’s confidence about her lactational adequacy [13,14].

Recently, newer population research designs reduce the self selection bias. Cluster randomized trials of breastfeeding promotion intervention modeled on the WHO / UNICEF Baby – Friendly Hospital initiative [14] have been used in two separate populations[15,16]. In these studies, maternity clinics and hospitals are assigned randomly to receive intensive educational programs to increase breastfeeding rates. The outcomes of interest are breastfeeding rates and short-term neonatal morbidities (infections, atopic dermatitis, etc). In both studies, breastfeeding rates were improved significantly (P < 0.001) with exclusive feeding at 3 months, 43.4% Versus 6.4% in Belarus[15] and 79% versus 48% in India [16]. The interventions were associated with 30% to 50% lower prevalence of gastrointestinal infections and atopic dermatitis and better infant growth.

Breastfeeding is beneficial to the health of the maternal-infant dyad; it improves psychosocial interactions, reduces economic burdens, and is valuable to society. The Agency for Health Care Research and Quality (AHRQ) published the “Evidence Report on Breastfeeding and Maternal and Infant Health Outcomes in Developed Countries, “which provides sufficient data to conclude that the beneficial aspects of breastfeeding are substantial [17]. The report summarizes the link between breastfeeding and reductions in acute morbidity and long termmorbidity. The data specifically suggest a dose-response relationship between breastfeeding and reductions in otitis media, respiratory tract infections, asthma, bronchiolitis, atopic dermatitis, gastroenteritis, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, diabetes, leukemia, and mortality (sudden infant death syndrome) [18]. Additional data support reductions in maternal cardiovascular disease with breastfeeding [19]. Mothers also benefit from exclusive breastfeeding by delays in menses and favorable postpartum weight loss [20,21].

Breastfeeding is influenced by economic and political forces. A nested case-control study in 2002 to 2003 of preterm birth and low birth weight among working women in Southern California found that provision of maternity leave is associated with about one-fourth of the risk of cesarean delivery, adjusted for covariates (odds ratio 0.27;95% confidence interval,0.08 –0.94)[22]. An assessment of the literature on the length of maternity leave and health of mothers and children found a positive ecological association between the length of maternity leave and mother’s mental health and duration of breastfeeding,as well as with lower perinatal,neonatal and post neonatal mortality and lower child mortality [23].

An Australian study found that returning to work in the first 10 months postpartum is associated with shorter breastfeeding durations[24]. Although the study mothers, who were drawn from a nationally distributed, self-selected consumer opinion panel, were not nationally representative, they characterized the population of US women most likely to succeed with breastfeeding [25], thus underscoring the need for effective strategies to enable more women to reach their exclusive breastfeeding goals. More than 85% of expectant mothers recruited for the national 2005-2007 Infant Feeding Practices Study II[25] (IFPS II) intended to exclusively breastfeed for 3 months or longer[27], yet, only 32% of mothers achieved their intended exclusive breastfeeding goal [26].

A 2005 Cochrane review of intervention trials to promote the initiation of breastfeeding found that health education, especially needs-based,informal,repeat sessions, and peer support interventions, significantly increases breastfeeding initiation rates among US economically disadvantaged mothers [27]. Clinicians are consistently identified by mothers as the trusted source for information and guidance regarding breastfeeding. A survey was conducted by the AAP in 2004 regarding mothers’ and clinicians’ perspectives on breastfeeding counseling during preventive visits [28]. The prospective cohort study of low-risk mothers in a large multispecialty group practice reported that although nearly all obstetric (91%) and pediatric (97%) clinicians said they usually/always discuss plans to continue breastfeeding after returning to work, only 55% of the mothers reported that the topic was actually discussed. Only a few mothers reported discussing specific steps to maintain lactation after returning to work. These resultsindicate the gaps that the clinicians have in communicating effectively about the importance of breastfeeding and maintaining lactation.

Conclusion

Breastfeeding is cost-effective for the family and society. There had been a steady decline in the incidence of breastfeeding over the years. In the western developed countries, fewer women have been breastfeeding their infants. The cultural attitudes in the western world, and the need to get back to work for career women have contributed to this decline but even in India, mistaken notions about the practice of breastfeeding adversely affecting body form (breast shape)and the publicity regarding formula feeds as being superior in composition to breast milk have led the affluent classes to abandon attempts to breastfeed their babies. The medical profession and the nursing profession have recognized the benefits of breast feeding, particularly in the developing world, and there is a concerted effort by social and medical organization to revive the practice of breastfeeding.

Abbreviations
EBF-Exclusive Breast Feeding, KAP- Knowledge, Attitude, Practices, WHO- World Health Organization
UNICEF-United Nations International, Children Emergency Fund

Acknowledgement- Author acknowledges the enormous help received from the scholars whose articles have been cited and incorporated in references. Author is also grateful to author’s editors / publishers of all those articles, journals and books from where the literature for this articlehas been reviewed and discussed.

Funding: Nil, Conflict of interest: None initiated.
Permission from IRB: Yes

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How to cite this article?

Arunadevi. V, Viswanathan. S. Knowledge, attitude and practice towards exclusive breast feeding among lactating mothers in a South Indian Hospital. Obg Rev:J obstet Gynecol 2017;3(4):44-50.doi:10.17511/jobg.2017.i4.02.