ABSTRACT
Background: Breast milk is optimum for a neonate as it is a natural food and the best gift a mother can give to her baby. Breast feeding is an art and skill which need to be learnt and mastered by mothers. As health care workers are the first line of contact for lactating mothers, this study was planned to assess their knowledge on breast feeding.Methods: Hospital based cross-sectional study was performed among health care workers at Yenepoya Medical College and Hospital of Mangalore. 100 health care workers consisting of 60 medical interns and 40 staff nurses were enrolled in the study. Health care workers were given a questionnaire that sought responses pertaining to the knowledge on breastfeeding and its techniques. The data were analyzed using Microsoft Access and Excel software.Results: The present study showed 92% of medical interns and 95% of nursing staff had correct knowledge about initiation of breastfeeding. Knowledge on contents of colostrums and its advantage was more among medical interns (85%) as compared to nursing staffs (30%). Knowledge on prelacteal feeds was good among medical interns as compared to nurses. Both medical interns and nursing have poor knowledge on breastfeeding during maternal illness. Knowledge on correct feeding position and good breast attachment was good among nursing staffs.Conclusions: Study showed there is some substantial knowledge gap on breastfeeding among health care workers. Enhancing their knowledge on breastfeeding and the problems associated with it will be useful for the nurturing mothers as well as themselves.
ABSTRACT
Background: Hepatitis C is increasingly found to be a significant etiological agent causing liver disease in India. Prevention is the best safeguard against this silent killer but a major obstacle has been the low awareness. Attitudes and awareness of general population can play a key role in prevention of spread of infection. Aims: The objectives of the present survey were to assess the knowledge and attitudes of general population vis a vis risk factors, route of transmission, vaccination and treatment of Hepatitis-C virus (HCV). Study Design: Cross-sectional questionnaire based study. Place and Duration of Study: South west border region of Northern Indian State of Punjab from 2012-2014. Methodology: This random survey was conducted in south west border region population of northern Indian state of Punjab. Results: Overall, 24.2%, 29.2% and 46.6% respondents had good, fair and poor awareness levels respectively. Conclusion: The study highlights and calls for a targeted and effective HCV awareness, by innovative means and on an emergency basis, to control the spread of this silent killer.