Exclusive breastfeeding and its association with knowledge, attitudes, practices and support network

Abstract

Objective: To determine the association between exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) and the levels of knowledge, attitudes, practices, and support networks among lactating women.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Family Medicine Unit No. 57 of the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) in Puebla. Lactating women were included, and data were collected on age, number of children, marital status, education level, occupation, and socioeconomic status. The frequency of EBF was determined using the CAP (Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices) Questionnaire. The support network was assessed using the Duke-UNC Social Support Scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and the association between EBF and the variables of interest was evaluated using the chi-square test, with a significance level of p ≤ 0.05 in SPSS v22.

Results: 184 women were breastfeeding, median age 27 years (20-40), 42.9% (n=79) with 2 children, 41.8% (n=77) lived with a partner, 38.6% (n=71) studied high school, 39.1% (n=72) attended household chores, 54.9% (n=101) had a medium socioeconomic level and 26.6% (n=49). 85.9% (n=158) had a high level of knowledge, 54.9% (n=101) had an indifferent attitude, and 88% (n=162) reported adequate breastfeeding. 73.9% (n=136) had good confidential support, 76.1% (n=140) had good affective support. There was no association between SCI and knowledge, attitudes, practices, and support networks.

Conclusions: Exclusive breastfeeding was low despite high levels of knowledge, practices, and support networks. More than half of the mothers demonstrated an indifferent attitude in the population studied.

Keywords: Breast Feeding; Knowledge; Prevalence; Social support.