Objective: To assess and find the barriers of timely initiation of breast feeding.
Methodology: This cross sectional study was conducted in rural area (2 Union councils) of District Sargodha with 202 child’s Mothers as sample size with systematic random sampling method. A questionnaire was developed for data collection. Frequencies for all the variables were recorded. Chi-square test of independence was used for identifying possible significant barriers influencing early initiation of breast feeding.
Results: Only 35.1% of the mothers started early breast feeding (within one hour after birth). 27.7% mothers had primary level education. Household income of the maximum (72%) study subjects was less then Rs. 10,000. 29.2% mothers were less than 20 years of age at marriage. Various barrier were highlighted for early initiation of breast feeding including number of children (p=0.00) and extended/nuclear family (p=0.00). Normal deliveries (p=0.00), deliveries at health care center/clinic (p=0.00), knowledge about the ANC (p=0.00), knowledge through media remained effective (p=0.00) and supportive, (p=0.00). Around 37.6% of females said that they were facing problems during breast feeding including low milk supply (69%) followed by sore nipples (15%), low birth weight (12%) and beast infections (4%). Another important aspect highlighted that 40.1% females provided Ghuti as baby’s first food; honey by 35.6%, green tea by 3% and Formula milk by 6.4%.
Conclusion: Low prevalence was due to lack of proper knowledge regarding the early initiation of breast feeding among the newly delivered mother are especially with cesarean delivery.
Umaira Zaib, Saleem Rana, Muhammad Ibrahim Ansari, Hafiz Azeem Akhtar, Kaleemullah Abro, Muhammad Siddique Ansari. (2020) Challenges to timely initiation of breast-feeding in rural area of District Sargodha, Pakistan, , Volume 45, Issue-4.
