Institute of Medical Sciences, BHU, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IN.
University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, CA.
Ann Glob Health. 2019 May 3;85(1):64. doi: 10.5334/aogh.2093.
Breastfeeding is commonly practiced by a majority of mothers in developing countries, though there are widespread misconceptions about optimal breastfeeding traditions. In addition to culturally prominent rituals and social norms, incorrect and inadequate breastfeeding knowledge is major factors for this high-risk behavior.
To assess knowledge, attitude and practices of breastfeeding among girls and women visiting a tertiary care center in India and to find out the factors, which influence the breastfeeding behaviors.
DESIGN/METHODS: It is a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study done among women attending outpatient and inpatient Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology of S.S. Hospital, Banaras Hindu University, India. A face-to-face interview using a pre-designed, self-administered, standardized questionnaire regarding knowledge, attitude, and practices of breastfeeding was conducted. The information was collected and analyzed using SPSS statistical software.
Among 1000 women enrolled in the study, 89% were married, 25% were primiparous, and 52% were multiparous. More than 50% were illiterate, 91% unemployed, and 90% had hospital delivery. Of the total 770 mothers, only 55% received proper antenatal care during pregnancy, of which only 40% were counseled about breastfeeding. Regarding knowledge and attitude about breastfeeding, majority females (71.4%) considered breast milk as best food for a newborn, which was better in younger women <20 years (86%). Regarding breastfeeding behavior, only 45% mothers initiated breastfeeding within one hour of delivery, which was worse in home delivered mothers (25%). Most (82%) mothers fed colostrum to their babies but 27% of mothers gave pre-lacteal feeds. Illiterate mothers (56.3%), mothers with only primary education (70%), and unemployed mothers (53.85%) continued to do exclusive breastfeeding without initiating complementary feeds even after six months.
CONCLUSION(S): Although breastfeeding is practiced by a majority of mothers in a developing country like India, there is a significant gap in knowledge and optimal breastfeeding behaviors. Healthy breastfeeding behavior can be encouraged among mothers by proper counseling by health care workers and organizing educational programs focusing women especially with low education and limited resources.
在发展中国家，大多数母亲都普遍采用母乳喂养，但对最佳母乳喂养传统存在广泛的误解。除了文化上突出的仪式和社会规范外，不正确和不充分的母乳喂养知识是这种高风险行为的主要因素。
评估印度一家三级保健中心的女孩和妇女的母乳喂养知识、态度和实践，并找出影响母乳喂养行为的因素。
这是一项在印度 Banaras Hindu 大学 S.S. 医院妇产科门诊和住院部就诊的妇女中进行的横断面、基于问卷的研究。使用预先设计的、自我管理的、标准化的问卷，对母乳喂养的知识、态度和实践进行面对面访谈。使用 SPSS 统计软件收集和分析信息。
在纳入研究的 1000 名妇女中，89%已婚，25%初产妇，52%多产妇。超过 50%是文盲，91%失业，90%在医院分娩。在总共 770 名母亲中，只有 55%在怀孕期间接受了适当的产前护理，其中只有 40%接受了母乳喂养咨询。关于母乳喂养的知识和态度，大多数女性（71.4%）认为母乳是新生儿最好的食物，年轻女性（<20 岁）认为更好（86%）。关于母乳喂养行为，只有 45%的母亲在分娩后 1 小时内开始母乳喂养，在家分娩的母亲更差（25%）。大多数（82%）母亲给婴儿喂初乳，但 27%的母亲给婴儿喂非母乳食物。文盲母亲（56.3%）、只有小学教育的母亲（70%）和失业母亲（53.85%）即使在六个月后也继续进行纯母乳喂养而不开始补充喂养。
尽管母乳喂养在像印度这样的发展中国家被大多数母亲采用，但在知识和最佳母乳喂养行为方面存在显著差距。通过卫生保健工作者的适当咨询和组织以妇女为重点的教育计划，可以鼓励母亲采取健康的母乳喂养行为，特别是针对那些教育程度低、资源有限的妇女。
