Knowledge, attitude, and practices of breastfeeding and weaning among mothers of children up to 2 years old in a rural area in el-minia governorate, Egypt

Abstract

Aim:Was to describe the knowledge, attitude, and actual practices of mothers in a rural area in Egypt regarding breastfeeding, complementary feeding and weaning and to explore the effect of educational background and age on these views.Materials and Methods:A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 307 rural mothers who have a youngest child aged 2 years or less. Mothers were selected using systematic random sampling.Results:All the studied mothers knew that breastfeeding is the best nutritional source for the baby. The majority of the mothers had good knowledge about the advantages of breastfeeding for child. As regards weaning, majority (92.5%) of the mothers defined weaning as breastfeeding cessation. Most of the mothers (94.8%) agreed that breastfeeding protect child from infection, 96.1% agreed that it is the healthiest for infant, 76.5% agreed that breast milk lead to loss of figure, and 83.4% agreed that breastfeeding should be avoided during mother's illness. About 84% initiated breastfeeding immediately after delivery, and 42.7% of the studied mothers offered pre-lacteal feeds to baby before lactation. About thirty quarters (74.2%) of mothers fed colostrum. Exclusive breast-feeding was found to be associated with mother's education (P < 0.0001) but not with mother's age at birth, mother's occupation, or place of birth.Conclusion:There is a need for health care system interventions, family interventions, and public health education campaigns to promote optimal BF practices, especially in less educated women.

A cross-sectional study on knowledge, attitude and practice of infant feeding practices among reproductive age women attending outpatient department of obstetrics and gynecology in Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Medical College and Hospital, Bengaluru-45

“…About thirty quarters (74.2%) of mothers fed colostrum. 5 And a similar study from Ajmer district has shown the average knowledge score of urban mother in breast feeding and weaning to be 61.6% and 64.0% respectively. Attitude scores on breastfeeding among the groups were 81.8% which was better in rural mothers whereas attitude scores about weaning among the groups was average 50%.…”

Cross sectional study of knowledge and practices regarding breast feeding amongst mothers belonging to tribal community in Melghat area, Amravati, Maharashtra, India

“…3 Correct knowledge regarding pre-lacteals not to be given was seen in 213 (94.67%) of study subjects. our finding higher than other studies.…”

“…our finding seems higher among other authors like Chaudhary RN et al found 25.00%, Hajela S 48.42%, Laxmi A et al 65.23% while Mohammed ES found 87.56% which was similar to present study. 3,[20][21][22] Correct practice of colostrum feeding was reported by 217 (96.44%) study subjects. Laxmi A et al found 94.12% which was higher than our finding while Bobhate PS et al 84.78%, Das N et al (76.29%) found lower.…”

“…Our study finding was higher than other authors like Hajela S found 41.21%, Laxmi A et al 36.29% while Chaudhary RN et al found 10%, while Mohammed ES found 79.76% which was like present study. 3,[20][21][22] Correct practice of initiation of breastfeeding within 1 hour was seen in 167 (74.22%) study subjects. Wide variation was seen for this finding among authors like Laxmi A et al found 48.14%, Bobhate PS et al 51.67%, Chakrabarty S et al, 39.61%.…”

“…2 Delayed breastfeeding initiation, colostrum deprivation, supplementary feeding of breast milk substitutes, early introduction of complementary feeding, and incorrect weaning from breast milk are commonly found practices in tribal communities around the world. 3 Even in many tribes, where sweet water or honey is given, it is meant only for the purification of the child. 4 Some believe prelacteals are a necessary substitute for colostrums.…”