Abstract

DELGADO NOGUERA, Mario  and  ORELLANA, Juan José. Mothers’ knowledge on optimal breast-feeding behaviors. Rev Colomb Obstet Ginecol [online]. 2004, vol.55, n.1, pp.9-23. ISSN 0034-7434.

Objective: To explore the knowledge on breast-feeding best practices in the postpartum mothers at the Social Security of Popayán, Colombia. To determine sub-groups and profiles of mothers according to their degree of knowledge about breastfeeding. Design: Descriptive study. Context: Level II Center of attention of the Colombian Social Security. Participants: 104 mothers interviewed consecutively in the postpartum period. Main measurements: A questionnaire was developed to establish knowledge about breast-feeding practices of the post-delivery mothers from the 5 optimal conducts of breast-feeding promoted by the Wellstart, a promotional organization of the maternal breast-feeding. These conducts were constructed from studies in developing countries. A total of 5 questions for each optimal conduct were done. The cut off point in a scale 0 to 1 considered as acceptable was 0,6. A variable of knowledge defined like the average of the score observed in each one of the 5 conducts was considered. Homogenous groups of mothers with a profile given by: age, socioeconomic stratum, parity, marital status, schooling, present grandmother, information on breast-feeding, and work was established. The tendency of the scores obtained according to this profile was observed. Results: 20,2% of the sample was lower than the acceptable score. The average knowledge score was 0,73 ± 0,176 (1SD). The low knowledge appeared in the fourth optimal conduct (gradual supplementation), average of 0,68. ± 0,17 (1SD) and the high one in the first (immediate breast-feeding after the birth) with an average of 0,80 ± 0,19 (1SD). The degree of the maternal knowledge according to the profiles was significant (Wilcoxon trend test value p < 0,0001). Conclusions: Although the level of knowledge was acceptable, the study establishes the necessity of an educational program to reinforce conducts on breast-feeding, mainly in the gradual supplementation to complementary feeding. The mothers who need this intervention are those at younger age, unmarried or in free union, primiparas, with low levels of socioeconomic stratum and schooling. Also it is necessary to include the grandmothers in the program.

Keywords : mothers; knowledge; breastfeeding; health-education; health-promotion.

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