Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Regarding Breast Feeding Among Primiparous and Multiparous Mothers in an Urban Slum, West Tripura: A Comparative Cross Sectional Study
Chanda Mog
Department of Community Medicine, Agartala Government Medical College, Agartala, Tripura, India
Corresponding Author E-mail: drchandamog@gmail.com
Abstract:
Background:Inadequate knowledge or inappropriate practices of breastfeeding may lead to undesirable consequences.Objectives: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) regarding breastfeeding among primiparous and multiparous mothers in an urban slum. Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted among 200 mothers (100 primiparous and 100 multipara) in an urban slum and eligible mothers were selected using simple random sample technique. Results: The mean knowledge score on breastfeeding for the primiparous mothers was 8.4 ±1.8 and multiparous was 9.5±2.2. The mean attitude score for the primiparous mothers was 47.27±3.09 and 48.38±2.7 for the multiparous mothers. Out of 200 mothers, 118 (59%) had adequate knowledge and 86 (43%) mothers were correctly done breast feeding practices. However, 52% multiparous were found more correctly practicing breastfeeding than primiparous (34%) and it was statistically significant (P=0.01). The level of knowledge among multiparaous (71%) were found more adequate than primiparous (47%) and significant difference was observed (P=0.001). Most of mothers (83%) had positive attitude towards breastfeeding (82% primiparous and 84% multiparous) and mothers did not have any negative attitude towards breastfeeding. Conclusions: The level of Knowledge is still needed to be improved in primipara mothers and however, the correct practice of breastfeeding was also found low in primipara mothers than multipara mothers. These findings suggest an urgent need for dissemination of information about optimal breastfeeding practices through mass media and education of mothers during antenatal visits and immunization sessions especially in primipara mothers in the study area.
Keywords: Breast Feeding; KAP; Multipara; Primipara; Urban Slum Back to TOC