Assessment of Knowledge and Practice Regarding Breast Feeding among Working and Non-Working Mothers

Background: Breastfeeding is widely acknowledged as the ideal method of providing optimal infant nutrition. Breast milk is the most complete food for babies and provides all of the nutrients needed for the first 6 months. Aim: assess the knowledge and practices regarding breastfeeding among working and non-working mothers. Design: Descriptive design was used for conducting the study. Sampling: A Purposive sample of 90 breast feeding mother. Setting: The study was carried out at El-Khosos central hospital Egypt. Tools: Two tools used for data collection: Tool I: A Structured interview questionnaire consist of demographic characteristics, obstetric history and knowledge assessment sheet. Tool II: Mother observational practice checklist regarding breast feeding. Results:the study showed that more than half of working mothers group was good knowledge regarding to breastfeeding. While non-working mothers' total Knowledge toward breastfeeding were poor knowledge. Regarding to non-working mothers' total practice toward breastfeeding the study results showed that majority of non-working mothers had inadequate practice. While study results show that more than half of working mothers had adequate practice regarding breastfeeding. Conclusion: There was highly significant difference between working mothers and non-working mothers according knowledge and practice regarding breastfeeding there were significant differences between working mothers and non-working mothers according to total mean score of knowledge and practice. Also there were highly significant relation between knowledge and practice in working mothers. Study also shows that there were highly significant correlation between knowledge and practice in working mothers and significant correlation between knowledge and practice.Recommendations: Mothers should be taught on how to breastfeed and maintain exclusive breastfeeding through breast feeding booklet.