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@article{206531,
        author = {Prof. P. Padma and DR. S. Madhavi and Prof. Renuka. S and Asst. Prof. Anjanadevi G},
        title = {A study to assess the knowledge and attitude towards breastfeeding among primi antenatal mothers attending OBG OPD at selected hospital Coimbatore. A Descriptive Cross sectional study.},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {13},
        number = {2},
        pages = {2032-2035},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=206531},
        abstract = {A study to assess the knowledge and attitude towards breastfeeding among primi antenatal mothers attending OBG OPD at selected hospital Coimbatore. A Descriptive Cross sectional study.
Introduction: Breastmilk is the ideal food for infants. It is safe, clean and contains antibodies which help protect against many common childhood illnesses. Breastmilk provides all the energy and nutrients that the infant needs for the first month of life and up to the second year of life. Breastfed children perform better on intelligence tests, are less likely to be overweight or obese and less prone to diabetes later in life. Women who breastfeed also have a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancers. Appropriate breastfeeding practices prevent mortality and morbidity of the child from diarrhoea, respiratory infections, otitis media and necrotizing enterocolitis. Optimal breastfeeding practices include exclusive breastfeeding for first 6 months of life, early initiation of breastfeeding within 1 hour of life, and continued breastfeeding for upto 2 years of age .The global prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of life is around 48%, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) .Objective: To assess the level of knowledge and attitude towards breastfeeding among primi antenatal mothers.and determine the association between demographic variables with knowledge/attitude levels.Design: Descriptive Cross sectional study was used.Sample: 60 primi antenatal mothers attending OBG OPD and admitted in ward at selected hospital, Coimbatore.Sampling technique :Non probability convenience sampling was adopted.Tools and Scales: Demographic variables, Knowledge questionnaire and attitude scale about breastfeeding are used. Result: In this study, a majority of primi mothers demonstrated a moderately adequate knowledge of breastfeeding (53.3%), 36.6% with adequate knowledge and 10% with inadequate knowledge. Most participants displayed favorable attitudes (80%), while a smaller number had neutral attitude (20%). Demographic factors like education, employment, and family type significantly influenced these attitudes. Food habits were strongly associated to knowledge levels (p=0.001), while education, age, and employment had a weaker association. Importantly, higher knowledge about breastfeeding correlated with more positive attitudes. Conclusion: The study highlights the need for structured antenatal education to improve breastfeeding knowledge and foster positive attitudes among first-time mothers.Health professionals, particularly nurses and midwives, play a pivotal role in delivering this education through counseling, visual aids, and interactive sessions.},
        keywords = {},
        month = {July},
        }