Knowledge and practice levels and its relationship to breastfeeding practices among primipara and multipara mothers : basis for a proposed enhancement program / Wilbert G. Panerio.

Computer print-out

Thesis (Master of Arts in Nursing Major in Maternal Child Nursing) -- UC, October 2007.

Includes bibliographical references.

Determined in this study was the extent of implementation of breastfeeding program on the knowledge and practice levels of primipara and multipara mothers at selected hospitals in Cebu City, the findings of which will be the bases for a proposed enhancement program.

Methodology

The descriptive correlational analysis was employed. The study was conducted at selected hospitals in Cebu City particularly Vicente Sotto Medical Center, Cebu City Hospital and St. Anthony?s Mother and Child Hospital. Included were the 150 primipara and multipara mothers of selected government hospitals who submitted themselves for Our-Patient Department post-partum care. A researcher-made questionnaire was utilized in the study.

Findings

The following were the findings of the study:
1. Profile of the Primipara and Multipara Mothers
As to age, majority (44.66%) belonged to the age bracket of 14-24 years old which accounts for 67 respondents. As to educational attainment, majority (51.33%) of the respondents had reached only until the secondary or high school level. As to economic status, majority had a combined monthly income of P5000 and below (81.33%). As to the parity of the mothers based on the number of pregnancies, majority (72.67%) of the mothers had been pregnant within the range of 1-3 times. As to number of births, majority (70.67%) of the mothers had also given birth within the range of 1-3 times.

2. Level of Knowledge of Primipara and Multipara Mothers
Level of knowledge had a weighted mean of 3.90 interpreted as knowledgeable.

3. Breastfeeding Practices of Primipara and Multipara Mothers
Breastfeeding practices had a weighted mean of 4.0, rated often practiced.

4. Extent of Implementation of Breastfeeding Program
Extent of implementation had a weighted mean of 4.1, interpreted as considerable extent.

5. Test of Hypotheses
There was a significant relationship between the extent of implementation between the Breastfeeding Program and the level of knowledge of mothers.
There was a significant relationship between the extent of implementation between the Breastfeeding Program and the practices of primipara and multipara mothers.

Conclusion

Based on the findings of the study, the researcher concludes that majority of the primipara and multipara mothers from the selected public hospitals in Cebu City were young (14-24 years old), less educated and belonged to the low income bracket. There was an average degree of implementation of the Breastfeeding Program, so it follows that the mothers were knowledgeable and often practice breastfeeding to their infants.
Extent of implementation influenced the level of knowledge of mothers as to breastfeeding. Likewise, the extent of implementation also affects the manner and frequency of practice on breastfeeding their infants.

Recommendations

Anchored on the findings of the study, the following are recommended:
1. Training on Breastfeeding implementation should first be targeted to staff teaching and training hospitals; hospitals with affiliation programs for medical, nursing and midwifery studentes; tertiary hospitals; provincial hospitals and private hospitals;
2. Advocacy meetings and focused- group discussions should be conducted with medical professional groups, administrators of hospitals and professional academic groups on scientific symposia in breastfeeding and MBFHI both at national and subnational levels.
3. There should be a continued monitoring on patterns and trends of breastfeeding;
4. Local government units should be advocates in transforming all hospitals with maternity and newborn services into facilities which fully protect, promote and support breastfeeding and rooming-in practices;
5. Future researchers or organizations focused on the health and wellness of mothers could delve into the following activities for the future undertaking:

5.1 Analysis of the impact of ?rooming-in? programs;
5.2 MBHI and the implication for hospitals policies, its impacts on the practices of private practitioners;
5.3 Studies on the cost effectiveness of different strategies for increasing breastfeeding incidence;
5.4 New modifications on effective breastfeeding practices;
5.5 Effective strategies for helping working women to breastfeed;
5.6 Obstacles to Breastfeeding in private hospitals; and
5.7 The nature and timing of starting contraception among breastfeeding women.