INTRODUCTION:

Breast milk is an ideal way of providing food for the health, growth and development of infant and it is also an integral part of the reproductive prosess with important implications for the health of mothers.

Breast milk is the natural first food for the baby, it provide all the energy and nutrients that the infant needs

for the first month of life, and it content to provide up to half or more of a child’s nutritional need during the second half of the year and up to one third during the second year of life (WHO. 2000-2004)^1-5

Breast feeding promotes sensory and cognitive development and protects the infants against infection and chronic disease. Exclusive breast feeding reduces infant mortality due to common childhood illness such as diarrrhea and pneumonia and helps for a quiker recovery during illness (kraner Metal, 2001). Breast feeding contributes to the health and well-being of mothers, it helps to space children, reduces the risk of ovarian cancer and breast cancer, increases family and national resources is a secure way of feeding and is safe for the environment (WHO, 2000-2004. a report on nutrition)⁶

While breast feeding is a natural act, it is also a learned behaviour. An extensive study has demonstrated that mother and other care givers require active support for establishing and sustaining appropriate breast feeding practices. Recent review has shown that on a population basis exclusive breast feeding for six month if the optional way of feeding infants. Thereafter infant should receive complimentary foods with continued breast feeding of to two years of age or beyond (WHO 2000-2004 report card on exclusive breastfeeding). Breast feeding enhances mother-child bonding to make sure the baby is properly positioned at the breast and has latched on correctly, taking all the nipple and as much of the areola (colored part of the breast) as possible in to his mouth.

OBJECTIVES OF STUDY:

1. Assess the pre-test knowledge of postnatal mothers regarding breast feeding.

2. Assess the post-test knowledge of postnatal mothers regarding breast feeding.

3. Evaluate the effectiveness of the STP on knowledge regarding breast feeding.

HYPOTHESIS:

H₁: The mean post-test knowledge score of post-natal mothers regarding breast feeding is significantly higher than the mean pre test knowledge score

ASSUMPTIONS:

1. Proper Breast-feeding techniques will improve bonding.

2. The knowledge level of the post-natal mothers regarding breast-feeding will increase after the interventions.

INCLUSION CRITERIA:

1. Post-natal mothers delivered in ShriVinobaBhave Civil Hospital, Silvassa.

2. Post-natal mothers who are willing to participate in the study.

3. Post-natal mothers who delivered within 6 weeks

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

1. Mothers who are developed Breast complications and nipple problems.

2. Mothers who are affected by anesthetic complications.

3. Mothers who are affected by systemic diseases.

METHODOLOGY:

Quantitative research approach with Pre experimental research design was used. Non-Probability convenient sampling technique was used to select 40 postnatal mothers who delivered within 3 days of hospitalization in Shri VinobaBhave Civil Hospital Silvassa. Structured teaching programme on breastfeeding is a independent variable and level of knowledge is a dependent variable. Structured Interview schedule was used to collect the data. Pretest was conducted following that structured teaching programme was given on breastfeeding and 7^th day post test was conducted when they are coming for the follow up.

RESULTS:

Table 1: Frequency and Percentage Distribution of Postnatl Mothers according to their Socio-Demographic Variables N=40

Sl. No.	Socio-Demographic Variables	F	Percentage (%)
1.	Age (years)
	a. 18 – 25 years	33	82.5 %
	b. 25 – 35 years	06	15 %
	c. 35 – 45 years	01	2.5 %
2.	Infant age
	a. < 6 months	40	100 %
	b. > 6 months	0	0%
3.	Religion
	a. Hindu	36	90 %
	b. Muslim	04	10 %
	c. Christian	0	0%
	d. Others (specify)	0	0%
4.	Types of family
	a. Joint family	32	80 %
	b. Nuclear family	08	20 %
	c. Extended family	0	0%
5.	Place of residence
	a. Gujarat	13	32.5 %
	b. Maharashtra	10	25 %
	c. D and N .H	10	25 %
	d. Others (specify)	07	17.5 %
6.	Education
	a. Primary	18	45 %
	b. Secondary	08	20 %
	c. Graduate	0	0%
	d. Illiterate	14	35 %
7.	Occupation
	a. Employed	03	7.5 %
	b. Unemployed	37	92.5%
8.	Number of children
	a. One	19	47.5%
	b. Two	11	27.5 %
	c. > Two	10	25 %
9.	Place of delivery
	a. Private hospital	03	7.5 %
	b. Govt. hospital	37	92.5 %
10.	Gender of baby
	a. Male	19	47.5%
	b. Female	21	52.5%
11.	Family income
	a. Rs. <5000	21	52.5 %
	b. Rs. 5000 < 10,000	17	42.5 %
	c. Rs. 10,000 above	02	5 %
12.	Source of information
	a. Family members	24	60 %
	b. Media	01	2.5 %
	c. Friends	01	2.5 %
	d. Health team members	14	35 %

Table 2: Comparison of Pre-Test and Post-Test knowledge score N=40

Sr No.	Topic	Pre-test		Post-test
Sr No.	Topic	Score	Score percentage	Score	Score percentage
1.	Introduction	58	48.33%	118	98.33%
2.	Principles	65	32.5%	171	85.5%
3.	Position	34	42.5%	74	92.5%
4.	Advantages for baby	71	44.4%	132	82.5%
5.	Advantages for mother	43	35.8%	104	86.6%
6.	Advantages for society	10	25.0%	32	80.0%
7.	Contraindication	20	25.0%	65	82.2%
	Total	307	38.37%	697	87.12%

Table 3: Comparison of Pre-Test and Post-Test Level of knowledge on Breast feeding N=40

Sl. No.	Level of Knowledge	Frequency		Frequency percentage
Sl. No.	Level of Knowledge	Pre- test	Post- test	Pre-test	Post-test
1	Very poor (0-5)	6	0	15%	0%
2	Poor (6-9)	29	2	72.5%	5%
3	Good (10-14)	5	3	12.5%	7.5%
4	Very good (15-20)	0	35	0%	87.5%

Table 4: Effectiveness of Structured Teaching Programme on Breast feeding by Paired ‘T’ Test N=40

	Sl. No.		Variables	Pre-test Mean		Post-test Mean	Mean difference	Calculated ‘t’ value	Table value	Level of significance
1.		Mean		7.68	17.43		9.75	20.6864S	2.02	0.05
2.		Standard deviation		1.65	2.48		-0.83

S: Significance