A STUDY TO ASSESS THE KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF INCREASING BREAST MILK PRODUCTION AMONG THE LACTATING MOTHERS IN THE SELECTED HOSPITAL AT PUDUCHERRY

Abstract

Breastfeeding is natural but first-time mothers don’t know the breastfeeding properly. Proper education and encouragement provide knowledge and is helpful for the mother and their child. The objectives of the study were to assess the knowledge and practice of increasing breast milk production, to correlate the level of the knowledge and practice of increasing breast milk production and to associate the level of the knowledge and practice of increasing breast milk production among the lactating mothers. Methods: A descriptive research design study was conducted among 100 lactating mothers, at RGGW&CH, Puducherry. Each lactating mother was selected through a purposive sampling method and the level of the knowledge and practice of increasing breast milk production was assessed by using a Structured interview schedule questionnaire. The data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Out of 100 lactating mothers interviewed, 80% had moderately an adequate level of knowledge, 13% had an inadequate level of knowledge and 7% had an adequate level of knowledge. Majority of the lactating mothers 62% had an inadequate level of practice and 38% had an adequate level of practice. Correlation between the knowledge and practice of increasing breast milk production indicated the negative correlation with rvalue is -0.314, p-value is p=0.001 are highly significant. Age, Educational qualification, Socioeconomic status, Religion, family types, Occupation, Age at marriage, delivery type, Number of children, Age of present child, Weight of the baby at birth had statistically significant association with knowledge and practice level of increasing breast milk production among the lactating mothers at p<0.001 level. Conclusions: The study concluded that healthcare providers should provide breastfeeding education to all women during their antenatal follow-up visits, especially women with low educational qualifications and no past breastfeeding experience.