Effect of breastfeeding awareness programme on breastfeeding practice among primigravidae mothers

Abstract

The study was done to assess the effect of Breastfeeding Awareness Programme on breastfeeding practice among primigravidae mothers in Trivandrum.Objectives: 1. To assess the effect of Breastfeeding Awareness Programme on breastfeeding practice among primigravidae mothers. 2. To determine the association between breastfeeding practice with selected socio personal variables.Methodology: Quasi experimental research with post test only control group design was used for the study. The settings chosen for the present study were antenatal OPDs, antenatal and postnatal wards of Sree Gokulam Medical College Hospital and Research Foundation, Venjaramoodu. Eighty primigravidae mothers who satisfied the inclusion criteria were selected by convenient sampling. After 36th weeks of gestation, Breastfeeding Awareness Programme provided to the subjects in the experimental group while the control group only received routine care. The tools used for data collection were socio personal proforma, clinical data, Breastfeeding Assessment Checklist and standardized LATCH Assessment tool. Post test on 2nd postnatal day showed that the breastfeeding practice score was higher in the experimental group (38.175+ 4.612) than the control group (25.125 + 7.528) by Breastfeeding Awareness Checklist Score. Results: The findings revealed that there was a highly significant difference (p < 0.001) in the breastfeeding practice score of experimental group as compared to control group.Conclusion: The study concluded that antenatal breastfeeding education is an effective way to increase the level of breastfeeding self efficacy, which increases exclusive breastfeeding practice.