RESUMO
Background: Colostrum is important for promoting health, growth and development of newborn and fighting the infections
Objective: To assess the knowledge and practices about Colostrum feeding among pregnant mothers in Rahim Yar Khan
Methodology: Study Design: Cross Sectional study. Duration and Setting: This Study was conducted from 8th March to 22th August 2017, in Sheikh Zayed Medical College/Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan. A sample of 105 mothers was taken from Pediatrics department, Gynecology department and EPI center of Hospital that were selected by convenient sampling. A pre-designed questionnaire having variables like age of mothers, Education of mother, Occupation of mother, Residence area of mothers, knowledge about colostrum feeding, Source of information, Knowledge about importance of colostrum, Knowledge about prelacteal feeding, Practices about colostrum feeding, Practices about prelacteal feeding was filled by interviewing these women. Data was analyzed by using SPSS 16
Results: In our study, mean age of mothers was 27.85 +/-5 years, 42.9% study subjects were illitetrate 77.1% were house wives. 76.2% women has information about colostrum 45.7% of study subjects mentioned that the source of information was friends and family. 42.9% of mothers acknowledged colostrum as nutritious milk. 69.5% study subjects had misconception that prelacteal feeds are necessary for child health. 28.6% women has started breast feeding within 1st hour and 73.3% has given prelacteal feeds to their newborn babies
Conclusion: Majority of mothers had good knowledge about colostrum feeding and they thought that it was nutritious milk and good for newborn health. But on the other hand, three fourth mothers practiced prelacteal feeding for their kids. There is a big gap between knowledge and practice about colostrum feeding. Health education programme should be started to cover this gap