Awareness on Breast Feeding among the Primi Antenatal Mothers Attending Pravara Rural Hospital, Loni (BK)

Breast feeding is a vital component for both mother and new born. Government of India continuously emphasize the promotion of exclusive breast feeding for first six months of life. Considering nuclear family trend in India, early marriages and low literacy rate, the primi mothers has inadequate knowledge on breast feeding. These trends adversely lead to poor compliance of breast feeding, no reduction in newborn morbidity and mortality and non compliance of national goals etc.

To assess the awareness on breast feeding among Primi Antenatal Mothers of Pravara Rural Hospital, Loni (Bk)

Non experimental study, cross sectional survey design was used for the study. Around 100 primi antenatal mothers who are attending Pravara Rural Hospital were selected by using purposive sampling technique. The pre tested semi structure interview schedule was used to collect the data. After obtaining the informed consent, data was collected. The collected data was analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics wherever required.

The study findings revealed that, overall mean knowledge score was (13±3.4) which is 65% of total score indicating that the mother's had satisfactory level of awareness on breast feeding, while only mere percent (9%) had good knowledge, however 10% of them had poor knowledge on Breast feeding. There was a significant association was found between awareness with socio demographic variables like age, education, and source of information at p≤0.05 level.

Though the mothers had satisfactory level of awareness, while considering the age, education and residence (rural) of primi mothers, it is important for health care professionals including the nurse and midwives needs to impart education on breast feeding and its benefits. Thus we contribute in reducing the neonatal and infant morbidity and mortality rates and to achieve national goal.