Descriptive study to assess the knowledge on exclusive breastfeeding among mothers of fewer than five children in the selected rural areas of Chamarajanagar district

Abstract

Background: Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF) is the best nutrition for children during the first six months. Breast milk contains all the nutrients an infant needs in the first six months of life and it stimulates babies’ immune systems and protects them from diarrhoea and acute respiratory infection. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends Exclusive Breast Feeding (EBF) for first six months of life while it is advised to provide adequate and safe complementary foods with breast feeding for up to two years and beyond. EBF remains uncommon in most countries (both developed and developing), even in countries with high rates of breast feeding initiation. Methodology: A Quantitative descriptive research design has been adopted. The sample was selected by using a convenient sample technique and 160 under five mothers were selected for the study. Obtained data by Structured Questionnaires consist of multiple choice Questions on exclusive breastfeeding. Objectives: To assess the knowledge about Exclusive breastfeeding among mothers of under five children and to find the association between the level of knowledge on exclusive breastfeeding with selected socio-demographic variables. Results: Show that among 160 participants 134(83.8%) participants are having inadequate knowledge, 26((16.2%) participants are having moderate knowledge and no one having adequate knowledge about Exclusive Breastfeeding among the participants.