Factors associated with knowledge about breastfeeding among female garment workers in Dhaka city.

Background: Knowledge about breastfeeding among women is very important for healthy children. The present study aims to determine the level of knowledge and factors associated with knowledge on breastfeeding among female garment workers in a selected garment factory in Dhaka city. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 female garment workers in the reproductive age group (15–49 years). Data were collected through a pre-tested questionnaire using the face-to-face interview method. Bivariate and multivariate analysis was done to determine the association between sociodemographic variables and knowledge on breastfeeding. Results: The study showed that, overall the level of knowledge regarding breastfeeding is very poor (88%) among the study subjects. Most of the respondents have very poor knowledge regarding advantages of exclusive breastfeeding (89%) and breastfeeding (100%). In contrast, a majority have good knowledge on duration of exclusive breastfeeding (74%) and breastfeeding (66%). No significant association was found between the knowledge score of breastfeeding with remaining socio-demographic variables like age, marital status, family income and expenditure. Education is significantly (p<0.001) associated with a higher total knowledge score of breastfeeding. Women with secondary level of education had a significantly higher (p<0.001) level of total knowledge score than other categories (illiterate, primary and higher secondary) of education. Conclusion: A large proportion of female garment workers had inadequate knowledge regarding breastfeeding. It is also important that health education on breastfeeding is urgently provided to the female garments workers of Bangladesh.

Effects of Education Level of Father and Mother on Perceptions of Breastfeeding.

Background: It is well known that education level of father and mother is an important factor to achieve breastfeeding. But, according to some literature, there is still controversy that education of parents is really a major factor for perceptions of breastfeeding. Objective: To determine the effects of education level of father and mother on perception or knowledge of breastfeeding. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross sectional study was conducted in the selected areas of Dhaka city amongst all (202) mothers and fathers of the children of 2 years or more than 2 years of age. Data were collected through pretested questionnaire by face to face interview. Data were analyzed by appropriate univariate analysis. Results: Among the study subjects majority of mothers (49.5%) were of secondary and higher secondary levels and fathers (35.6%) were of graduate and above level of education. Educated mothers (secondary 72% and graduate 90.9%) were more likely to give colostrums to their babies than illiterate mothers (38.9%). Although duration of exclusive breastfeeding and breastfeeding were not associated with maternal education, but knowledge on breastfeeding was highly significant (good knowledge) for higher educated parents (mothers 63.6% and fathers 52.8%) as compared to illiterate or low educated parents (P<0.001). Majority of parents got information from doctors/health workers rather than book or other sources regarding usefulness of breast milk. Conclusion: The study reveals that perceptions of breastfeeding are higher in educated parents than illiterate parents. To reach at an ever satisfactory level of breastfeeding practice, more attention and education need to be given amongst the general people.