Determining the knowledge level on the importance of breatfeeding among the mothers in postpartum period

Breastfeeding in the first 4-6 months is widely known as natural feeding whichis the most ideal one for the infants. In this case, nothing compares breastfeeding.The importance of breastfeeding to lead a healthy life is unanimously accepted. Andthe healthy infants form healthy families and the families eventually make up healthysocieties.This survey is carried out to determine and assess the knowledge level of themothers on breastfeeding in the obstetric clinics of the hospitals in Afyon province.These hospitals are: Afyon Zübeyde Hanım Doğum ve Çocuk Bakımevi Hastanesi,Afyon SSK Hastanesi, Afyon Kocatepe Üniversitesi Ahmet Necdet Sezer Uygulamave Araştırma Hastanesi.The questionnaries (data collection forms) were applied between 1st April and15th May 2005. These forms are divided into two sections. In the first part, thedescriptive characters of mothers take place and in the second one, the questionsrelated to mothers? knowledge level on the importance of breastfeeding are put. Thedata are processed and assessed through SPSS for Windows 11.0 (Statistical Packagefor Social Sciences for Windows).According to the results of the survey, 33.5% were informed aboutbreastfeeding before the delivery and 74.3% of them declared that they wereinformed by the medical staff. None of the mothers were informed by press andbroadcasting. Moreover, no mothers were aware that they could conserve their milkin the refrigrator, deep freze etc.The avarage breastfeeding knowledge grade for mothers is 80.7. In addition,there is statistically meaningful correlation between educational level, exposure toanesthesia, occupational position, husbands? jobs and dwelling places of the mothersand their breastfeeding knowledge grade. However, such a correlation does not existbetween breastfeeding knowledge grade and marriage age, number of pregnancy-delivery, age. By relying on these results, some recommendations stated. In thePDF created with pdfFactory trial version www.pdffactory.comXIfuture studies, sharing these recommendations with the respondent mother will bebenefical.Key-words: Postpartum, Mother, Nutrition, Breastfeeding.PDF created with pdfFactory trial version www.pdffactory.com