Assessment of mothers' knowledge and evaluation of obstacles to successful breastfeeding

Abstract

Introduction/Objective: A healthy diet is a basic prerequisite for a healthy child. Numerous studies have proven the importance of breastfeeding, which has many advantages. Breast milk is the best choice of food for a newborn. Healthcare professionals, doctors and nurses, play a key role in shaping a mother's attitude towards breastfeeding, as well as helping her overcome barriers to successful breastfeeding. To examine the level of knowledge mothers have about the importance of proper nutrition and breastfeeding of a newborn and to evaluate any obstacles to successful breastfeeding. Methods: The first part of the research is designed as a cross-sectional study. As a research instrument, a questionnaire was constructed to assess the mothers' level of knowledge about the importance of breastfeeding. In the second part of the research, a telephone survey was conducted after the mothers and babies were discharged from the hospital, and the mothers were asked questions about any obstacles they may have encountered to successful breastfeeding. The study included a sample of 47 women. The study was conducted in the Valjevo General Hospital from June to August 2018. Participation in the study was voluntary and anonymous and the research was approved by the Ethics Committee of the institution. Results: Descriptive statistic methods were used to analyse the results. Respondents ranged in age from 21 to 40, the largest number of women were between 21 and 25 years old (57%), 88% of children received a grade 9 at birth, 10% of the respondents attended parenting school, 78% of the women started breastfeeding the very next day after delivery and most believed that they had been successfully trained to breastfeed in the maternity ward. Seven days after discharge from the hospital, 7% of women did not breastfeed and the most common obstacles to successful breastfeeding were cracked nipples (35%). Conclusion: The results of the research indicate the need for a greater degree of education of future mothers about the importance of breastfeeding and proper breastfeeding techniques. It is necessary to carry out health education work at all levels of health care to minimize obstacles to natural nutrition