A Cross Sectional Study on Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Exclusive Breast Feeding among Women of Reproductive Age Group in Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Abstract

Aim & Objectives: To assess the knowledge and attitude on exclusive breast feeding among reproductive age group women in Chennai. Materials and Methodology This is a cross sectional quantitative descriptive study. The data was collected by handing out physical questionnaire forms to volunteers or by sending a link of the google form format of the same questionnaire. The data was collected from February 2021 to September 2021. The both physical and online forms data collected were compiled with help of Microsoft Excel. These compiled data were then analyzed using SPSS 16.0 software. All the frequencies and percentages were also obtained from this. Results: In this study a total of 342 volunteers participated, all belonging to the reproductive age group i.e., 15 years to 45 years. Majority of the participants were among the age group 20 to 30 years belonging to both married and unmarried category. Out of the 342 volunteers, 74.2% (254) of the participants planned to breast feed their infants for several months. 60% of participants had scored more than 75% overall. The lowest score seen was 26/40 points. So no one in my study had low knowledge (less than 20). The knowledge percentage and attitude percentage here are 68.6% 65.4% respectively. My interpretation of the knowledge and attitude is that we need to increase the knowledge about the term “Exclusive Breast Feeding” and also encourage the mothers to breast feed their infants. Conclusion:  Although most have scored more than 75%, some important questions were chosen incorrectly. This might be mostly due to the fact that there is lack of knowledge with respect to the term “exclusive” breastfeeding. This suggests that there has to be more awareness created amongst the youth population, who are tomorrow’s mothers. The need for them to know the importance of these matters lies in hands being doctors. It should be taught from school level itself.