STUDY OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE ABOUT BREASTFEEDING & NEWBORN CARE IN AND AROUND THE REGION OF WARDHA

Abstract

AIM

To study knowledge, attitude and practice about breastfeeding and newborn care practices in and around the region of wardha.

OBJECTIVES

1. To study knowledge, attitude and practice about breastfeeding and newborn care in and around the region of wardha.

2. To study factors affecting initiation of breastfeeding and duration of breastfeeding.

3. To study various breastfeeding practices implied in wardha.
 

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Study Setting:

Peripheral Health Centre of Seloo, Deoli under Acharya VinobaBhave Rural Hospital, Sawangi(Meghe), Wardha and Peri-Natal Care ward at AVBRH Sawangi ( Meghe).

Study Participants:

Mothers with children who were upto six months old who came to Peripheral Health Centre and AVBRH forBCG , Hepatitis B- Birth dose ,OPV0,1,2,3 and Pentavalent 1,2,3, IPV and rotavirus vaccinations were included in the study and data was collected using pretested questionnaire on breastfeeding practices and newborn care.

Sample Size Selection:

Sample size studied was 100 subjects from rural areas.

Study Design:

From the areas of Wardha district, we've selected 2 PHCs of Seloo and Deoli and AcharyaVinobaBhaveRuralHospital, Sawangi(M), Wardha by Simple random sampling Method.

Duration of study:

OCTOBER 2019 TO DECEMBER 2019 (3 MONTHS)

Data Collection(Methodology):

This cross-sectional study conducted at Peripheral Health Centre of Seloo and Deoli and AVBRH, Sawangi(M), Mothers with baby who came for BCG,OPV0,1,2,3 , Hepatitis B,rotavirusPentavalent vaccinations were included in the study. Verbal consent was obtained and those who were not willing to participate were excluded. A pretested questionnaire was used . Over a period of three months all consecutive mothers coming to PHC were interviewed until the sample size of 100 was reached. The pretested questionnaire included various factors that had a potential effect on initiation and duration of breastfeeding practices. The questionnaire included socio-economic and demographic data, details on initiation and duration of breastfeeding, details on artificial breastfeeding and weaning practice 

Statistical Analysis:

Statistical analysis was done by using bar diagram, pie diagram and chi square test.

Definitions :

Breastfeeding :

According to WHO,
Breastfeeding is the normal way of providing young infants with the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development.
Virtually all mothers can breastfeed, provided they have accurate information, and the support of their family, the healthcare system and society at large. Exclusive breastfeeding is suggested up to 6 months of age ,with continued breastfeeding alongside appropriate complimentary foods up to 2 years of age or beyond.

Weaning:
weaning is the gradual process through which a baby reduces its reliance on a pre dominantly liquid milk-based diet and gets used to eating adult foods. It usually involves introduction of semi solid then solid foods until the child’s diet consists of largely the family food. The process varies from culture to culture. Healthy babies of weaning age are growing and developing in no time so care has got to be taken to ascertain that they get enough and therefore the proper food.
Weaning does not mean discontinuation of breast feeding.

Pre lacteal feed:
These include any food item given just after delivery, mostly just before commencement of breast feeding. These usually include honey, ghuttietc depending on local customs. The pre lacteal feeds are not recommended at all

Colostrums:
It is the yellowish , sticky breast milk produced at the end of pregnancy , is recommended by WHO as the perfect food for the new born and feeding should be initiated within the first hour after birth.

Exclusive breastfeeding:
It means an infant receives only breast milk from his/her mother or wet nurse, or expressed breast milk and no other liquids or solids not even water. No additional food such as honey and dal is to be given. Even water is not to be given even if the weather is extremely hot or dry.
The only exceptions include administration of ORS, oral vaccines,

vitamins, and mineral supplements or medicines. It is recommended till 6 months of age