A Study to Evaluate the Knowledge and Practice Regarding Exclusive Breastfeeding among Primipara Mothers at Selected Maternity Hospital, Gulbarga

Abstract

Almost all women breastfeed because it is physiological or natural. They don't necessarily do this out of instinct; it's more convents and requires no preparation or expense. Breastfeeding has a laxative effect and poses no energy risk. It offers psychological advantages by fostering a positive mother-child bond, aiding in the uterus's involution, and reducing the risk of atopic dermatitis, stomach infections, and buttocks. Both rickets and scurvey are becoming far less common. Lactation offers a natural form of contraception since a woman who is exclusively breastfeeding has around 98% contraceptive protection for the first six months after giving birth.

Methodology: A descriptive design was chosen for the study, with exclusive breastfeeding as the dependent variable and Primipara mothers' knowledge and practices as the independent variable. Primipara moms who would be hospitalized to the postnatal ward of a certain maternity hospital in Gulbarga are the study population. Technique for sampling the study will employ a non-experimental descriptive research design with a basic random sampling technique.

Data collection method: the investigator will personally conduct the interview using a structured questionnaire after obtaining approval from the relevant authorities. Data collection will take place during a 30-day period.

Results: According to the survey, 19.1% of moms knew a lot about exclusive breastfeeding, compared to 60.0% who knew a little and 20.9% who knew very little. The percentage score was 61.45%, with the mean and SD of the overall knowledge score being 13.52+1.24.

According to the study's findings, statistically significant relationship exists between Primipara mothers' awareness and practice of exclusive breastfeeding (p 0.05). Mothers who are more knowledgeable about exclusive breastfeeding have better exclusive breastfeeding practices.

According to the study's findings, 21.8% of mother’s breastfed their children poorly, 46.6% practiced exclusive nursing on average, and 31.8% practiced exclusive breastfeeding well. The overall knowledge score had a mean of 27.51+_3.59, a standard deviation of the same, and a percentage score of 57.31%.

The following aspects of exclusive breast milk demand significant improvement in both understanding and practice. In order to educate nursing students, the multidisciplinary activity of initiating continuous breastfeeding and appropriate nutritional practices should involve a research team. The results should be shared through journals and other media.