Assessment of Knowledge about Exclusive Breast Feeding among Pregnant Women Attending at Gynecological Out Patient Department in Dhaka Medical College & Hospital

Abstract

Background: Almost all infants, breastfeeding remains the simplest, healthiest and least expensive feeding method that fulfills the infants' needs. The numerous benefits of breastfeeding are of public health relevance for developing countries as well as for industrialized nations. Objectives: To identify the level of mothers knowledge about Exclusive Breast Feeding who are attending in Gynecological out Patient department at Dhaka Medical College & Hospital. Methodology: Method of the study was a cross sectional type of descriptive study which was conduct through face to face interviews, by using questionnaire with informed consent of the participants. Data were numerically coded and captured in Excel, using an SPSS 20 version software program. Results: Most of the participants out of 100 mothers 43(43%) completed primary education, 23 (23%) S.S.C pass, 21(21%) mothers passing H.S.C+ above degree, and illiterate 13(13%), most of the mothers’ who are highly or secondary educational level completed they have good knowledge about benefits and advantage of exclusive breast feeding for baby’s health with growth and development. So it is proved that there is a significant relation between educational levels of pregnant mother with exclusive breast feeding. In a word it is proved which mothers’ are well educated they know better than about exclusive breast feeding from lower or illiterate mothers. Conclusion: It was realized that millions of children die worldwide each year because of faulty or no knowledge regarding the benefits of exclusive breast feeding and initiation of proper weaning at the correct time. These sufferings were unnecessary and preventable. Mothers’ were not properly aware about exclusive breast feeding but a disparity was observed between their perception and practice. Key words: Pregnancy, Exclusive breast feeding, Breast feeding, Colostrums Complementary feeding, Weaning food, Para, Gravid.