Evaluation of Lactation Management Education Program among Attendants of a Primary Health Care Unit in Suez City

Abstract

Mothers’ poor knowledge and negative attitude towards breastfeeding influence practices and constitute barriers to successful breast feeding. Objectives: To implement a breastfeeding education intervention in a primary health care unit, and to assess the effect of the intervention on knowledge, attitude and practice of nursing mothers. Methods: A health education intervention study was carried out on nursing mothers recruited from those attended compulsory immunization sessions in one of health care centers of Suez governorate. Sample size estimated to be 250, taken by systematic random sample. Completing a structured interview questionnaire to assess mothers` knowledge and attitude and practice was assessed by breastfeeding observational checklist. Results: Study was done on 211 mother-infant pairs. 21.8% of the mothers were exclusively breast feeding. (82%) of study subjects had previous breastfeeding experience. There was a significant improvement of mothers` knowledge about advantages of breastfeeding, mean score was (post 13.8 ±0.9 vs pre.9.5 ±2.8 p<0.001). There was significant improvement of post -intervention mother attitude (p<0.001). A significant improvement in mothers` breastfeeding practice (post 5.6 ± 0.8, vs pre-mean ± SD 3.9 ± 1.71 p=0.001). According to the mothers` wrong believes and barriers to exclusive breastfeeding, the majority (>80%) of them report pain was a major barrier. Followed by Fear of distorted breast shape, Poor prenatal and postpartum support, and Insufficient milk production. Conclusion: breastfeeding