Beliefs, attitudes and the practice of breastfeeding among some urban parturient mothers.

Abstract

Data on knowledge and beliefs on preparation for breastfeeding, feelings toward breastfeeding, and conditions considered possible or not possible for breastfeeding were obtained from 216 women admitted for delivery in a major hospital. Follow-up questionnaires were sent to them 4-5 weeks after discharge to elicit data on details of feeding. Responses received from 91 women were analyzed to determine relationships among beliefs/knowledge, feelings, conditions, and breastfeeding. Results show that knowledge was positively related to conditions considered possible for breastfeeding and to a lesser extent to feelings, while feelings and conditions were not significantly correlated. Knowledge, intention to breastfeed, husband's support, and friends' support differentiated those who breastfeed from nonbreastfeeders. Knowledge, friends' support, and husband's support were associated with length of breastfeeding. Previous experience, intention, and husband's support was found to explain 44% of the variance in breastfeeding duration.