Decline in breast feeding, who is to be blamed?!! A study of knowledge, attitude and practice of breast feeding amongst nurses.
OBJECTIVE
Breast-feeding is on the decline. Very often the first introduction to bottle-feeding is facilitated in the maternity units. This reduces the chances for the mother to breast feed successfully. The objective of the study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practices of breast-feeding amongst the nurses working in the maternity units.


METHODS
Nurses working in the maternity units of North Nazimabad, Karachi.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted in the maternity units of North Nazimabad, Karachi. The Nurses were interviewed through a structured questionnaire.


RESULTS
Out of 110 nurses working in the units, interviews of 70 nurses were obtained. The survey reveals that out of 70 nurses only 16 were qualified. The result shows that the nurses know little about successful lactation management and their role in the promotion and support of breast-feeding. There was a significant difference (P < 0.00) between qualified and non-qualified nurses as regards management of different aspects of breast-feeding.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a huge gap between what is desired and what is available. Intensive training programs should be organized to enhance nursing activities for the required services in order to promote and support breast-feeding.
Rasheed
S
S
Baqai Medical University, Karachi.
Siddiqui
I
I
Baig
L A
LA
D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003376:Counseling; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D009726:Nurses; D010154:Pakistan