Evaluation of maternal knowledge and practices regarding breastfeeding and weaning

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the maternal knowledge and its practical application regarding breastfeeding and weaning their children. The study was conducted at Paediatrics Department of Madina Teaching Hospital, Sargodha road, Faisalabad, in 6 months period starting from April, 10 to September, 10, Hundred women attending the pediatric OPD having children between 8 months to 2 years of age were included. A questionnaire was prepared evaluating maternal knowledge and their practical application. Physical examination of the child including growth parameters and signs of nutritional deficiencies was recorded, The data was analyzed statistically by using SPSS version 17 using chi-square as test of statistics. P value <0.05 was considered significant. Most of the mothers participating in the study belonged to rural area, were poor socioeconomically, lived in joint family system and had low literacy rate. Sixty one percent women knew that breastfeeding should be started immediately but only 35% of children were given breast milk as their first feed. Majority of the people [65%] still believe strongly in prelacteals including arq, ghutti and honey. Most of the mothers had appropriate knowledge regarding duration of breast feeding and weaning, but their kids were still malnourished [p value=0.046]. Large family size and inappropriate weaning knowledge had direct relationship with malnutrition and there was a strong correlation between anemia and delayed weaning. Majority of our mothers belonging to lower class have awareness of nutritional needs of their kids but cant practice that adequately due to lack of resources and misconcepts about enriched foods