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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21088/ijpen.2454.9126.9323.4

Abstract

Breast feeding is the most precious gift a mother can give her infant. “When there is illness or malnutrition it may be a lifesaving gift, when there is poverty, it may be the only gift. Breast feeding is the best natural feeding and breast milk is the best milk. The basic food of infant is of mother’s milk. Breast feeding is the most effective way to provide a baby with a carrying environment and complete food it meets the nutritional as well as emotional and psychological needs of the infant. But recently there is tendency to replace the natural means of infant feeding and introduction of breast milk substitutes. Food is major concern of the mankind beginning from the time of conception and extending through the entire life span of the individual food supplies the energy for physical activity and other metabolic needs of the body. Food in early months of life is essential for maintaining life. The goal of this study was to identify the cultural and social norms and attitudes which mothers felt influenced their decision about weaning.

Objectives of the study: (1) To assess the existing knowledge regarding importance of breastfeeding and weaning among primigravida mother’s in selected hospital of Wardha city. (2) To determine the effectiveness of planned teaching knowledge on regarding importance of breastfeeding and weaning among primigravida mother by comparing for the pretest and post test knowledge score. (3) To find out the association between knowledge regarding importance of breastfeeding and weaning among primigravida mother with their selected demographic variables.

Methods: A Pre-experimental one group pre-test and post-test design was used for the present study. Non probability convenient sampling technique was used to select the subject and the total population was 60. Tool used to collect the data was baseline proforma and structured knowledge questionnaire.

Results: Data was analyzed and interpreted by using both descriptive and inferential statistics. T the mean score for the pretest was 11.28. The mean score for the post-test was 24.63. The gain in the knowledge based on difference in the pre-test and post-test mean was found to be 13.35 (Improvement). The calculated‘t’value is 17.92, which are significant (P< 0.001). The results proved that the Planned Teaching was effective in improving the knowledge of primigravida mothers regarding Importance of breastfeeding and weaning. Age, Breast feeding is the first immunization to the baby have significant association with knowledge regarding Importance of breastfeeding and weaning.

Interpretation and Conclusion: This study was successful in achieving aims and objectives as well as using research appropriately.

Keywords : Importance of Breastfeeding & Weaning; Primigravida mothers.

Corresponding Author : Rupali Subhashrao Walke, Assistant Professor, Department of Mental Health Nursing, Vijaysinh Mohite Patil College of Nursing & Medical Research Institute, Solapur, Maharashtra 415315, India.