Assessment Myths and Facts of Mothers about Breast Feeding in Egypt: An Assessment Study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Professor of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing- Ain Shams University-Cairo-Egypt.

2 B.SC. 2015, Clinical Instructor, Faculty of Nursing - Al Azhar University-Cairo-Egypt.

Abstract

Background: Mothers are the primary caregivers for their infants who are breastfeeding, so that it
is important to empower mothers by facts about breastfeeding through increasing knowledge, practice
and attitudes will correct any myths. Aim: This study aimed to assess myths and facts of mothers about
breast feeding. Design: A descriptive design was utilized in carrying out this study. Subject: A purposive
sample composed of 300 mothers who have children under two years and breastfeeding naturally.
Setting: At the Breast Feeding Clinic in the Gynaecological and Obstetric Hospital affiliated to Ain
Shams University Hospitals, Out Patient Clinic affiliated to Al Mansoura University Hospitals and Sayed
Galal Hospital affiliated to Alazher University Hospitals. Tools: Three tools were used to collect data:
Interviewing Questionnaire to assess myths and facts in knowledge of mothers about breastfeeding. In
addition, Observational Checklist to assess the mothers’ reported practices related to breastfeeding and,
Attitude rating scale to assess attitudes of the mothers toward myths and facts about breastfeeding.
Results: more than half of mothers had an average total knowledge and less than two thirds had
satisfactory reported practice while most of them had a positive attitude toward breast feeding.
Conclusion: The study can be concluded that more than half of mothers had an average total knowledge
and less than two thirds had satisfactory reported practice while most of them had a positive attitude
toward breast feeding. There are positive correlations between mother's total knowledge, their total
reported practice and their total attitude toward breast feeding. Recommendations: Continues
educational programs and guidelines should be designed and implemented for mothers to provide
antenatal education to practice successful breast feeding.

Keywords