A Comparative Study to assess the effectiveness of application of cold cabbage leaves verses hot application on breast engorgement among postnatal mothers in selected hospitals

Abstract

Background: Breast engorgement is the overfilling of breast milk that causes discomfort and pain to the mother whilst non-infectious mastitis is inflammation of the breast due to milk duct blockage. Breast engorgement is associated with hard, painful, throbbing, aching and tender breasts which may result in women needing analgesia, developing mastitis or temporarily or permanently stopping breastfeeding. Objectives: 1. To assess the level of breast engorgement among postnatal mothers. 2. To determine the effectiveness of application of cold cabbage leaves and hot application on breast engorgement in experimental groups. 3. To compare the effectiveness of application of cold cabbage leaves and hot application on breast engorgement in experimental groups. Method: A Study was conducted in selected hospitals to compare the effectiveness of application of cold cabbage leaves verses hot application on breast engorgement among postnatal mothers in selected Hospitals. A 30 samples was selected using purposive sampling technique. The socio demographic variable of the subjects was consist of seven items, which included age, Parity, Education, type of delivery, time of breastfed after delivery and frequency of breastfeeding. The pretest and posttest was done by using Self Rated 6-Point Breast Engorgement Scale and observational Checklist and two group posttest design was used. It was done for 2 times a day for 3 days for the 15 min duration. Results: Group A mean posttest scores was 2.40 with standard deviation ±1.18 and Group B mean posttest was 3.80 with standard deviation ±1.32. The test statistical value of unpaired t test was 3.06 with p value 0.005 which is >0.05, hence H0 is rejected and H1 is accepted. Conclusion: : It concludes that, application of cold cabbage leaves on breast engorgement among postnatal mothers was more effective than hot application.