Research Article - Current Pediatric Research (2021) Volume 25, Issue 8

Assessment of mothers knowledge and practice regarding exclusive breastfeeding.

Sara Galal Mohammed^1*, Wafaa El-Sayed Ouda², Safaa Salah Ismail¹

¹Department of Pediatric Nursing, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt

²Department of Pediatric Nursing, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt

Corresponding Author:

Sara Galal Mohammed
Department of Pediatric Nursing
Helwan University
Cairo
Egypt
Tel: 01140654298
E-mail: sara.galal@nursing.helwan.edu.eg

Accepted date: August 12, 2021

Abstract

Background: Exclusive breastfeeding is the gold standard in infant nutrition. Exclusive breastfeeding has been recognized as an important public health tool for the primary prevention of child morbidity and mortality. The Study Aimed to: Assess the studied mothers’ knowledge and practice regarding exclusive breastfeeding. Design: A descriptive research design was utilized. Setting: This study was conducted at selected maternal and child health centers in Hadayek Helwan and El Sait Khadra in Helwan district. Sample: A purposive sample of 60 mothers and their accompanying infants were attending the previously mentioned settings for BCG immunization during the first week of life and were satisfying the inclusive criteria. Tools: The first toolwas a structured interviewing questionnaire sheet to assess the mothers’ knowledge about exclusive breastfeeding; the second tool was breastfeeding checklist to assess the reported mothers’ practice regarding exclusive breast-feeding. Results: The study findings revealed that nearly two thirds of the studied mothers had unsatisfactory knowledge regarding exclusive breast-feeding and more than three quarters of the studied mothers were incompetent regarding exclusive breast-feeding. Conclusion: The present study concluded that, nearly two thirds of the studied mothers had unsatisfactory knowledge regarding exclusive breast-feeding, more than three quarters of the studied mothers were incompetent regarding exclusive breast-feeding and there was statistically significant difference between total mothers’ knowledge and reported practice regarding exclusive breast-feeding. Recommendations: Periodical health education and awareness programs about the importance of exclusive breast-feeding should be directed for young and primipara mothers.

Keywords

Breast-feeding, Exclusive, Knowledge, Mothers, Nursing, Practice.

Introduction

Breast-feeding is a natural process of infants’ feeding involving two main methods: exclusive and non-exclusive breast-feeding. Nevertheless, EBF is the absolute and suitable scheme with finest domino effect [1].

Breast milk is a natural food that serves as a complete source of infants’ nutrition for the first six months of life. Breast milk contains all the necessary nutrients provided in a bio-available and easily digestible form, protecting both mothers and infants against illness and diseases with immunological properties. The WHO and UNICEF recommended that, all mothers should breastfeed their infants exclusively for the first six months of life. It is also recommended that breast-feeding should begin within one hour after birth [2].

Early initiation of breast-feeding should be promoted and prelacteal feeds discouraged. Because of its high levels of vitamin A, antibodies, and other protective factors, colostrum is considered as the infant’s first immunization. Breast milk contains essential fatty acids needed for the infants growing brain, eye, blood vessels, and these are not available in other milks.

EBF is the reference or normative model against which all alternative feeding methods should be measured, regarding growth, health, development, and all other short- and long-term outcomes [3].

The EBF has been defined as the situation where the infant has received only breast milk from the mother or a wet nurse, or expressed breast milk, and no other liquids, or solids, except drops or syrups containing vitamins, minerals supplements, or medicines, for the first six months.

In order to achieve the Millennium Development Goal (MDGs) of reduction of infant mortality, EBF has been identified as one of the major intervention approaches, both globally and nationally [4].

The most important breast-feeding practice includes initiation of breast-feeding within one hour of birth, frequent, and on- demand feeding. Infants should be breastfed more frequently during illness and recovery.

At the age of six months, appropriate, but nutritionally adequate and safe complementary foods must be introduced. Breast-feeding should still be continued until the infant has reached two years of age, while getting nutritious complementary foods [5].

Significance of the Study

The EBF is an optimum, healthy, and economical method of infant’s feeding. The EBF is critical for sustaining infant’s health and wellbeing. Infants who are properly breast-fed grow better and experience less sickness and fewer deaths than other infants who are not breast-fed.

However, many preventable obstacles hinder EBF in the first six months of life so that, the researcher see that it is important to assess mothers’ knowledge and reported practice regarding exclusive breast-feeding [6].

Aim of the Study

This study aimed to assess the studied mothers’ knowledge and practice regarding exclusive breastfeeding through the following:

• Assess mothers’ level of knowledge regarding exclusive breastfeeding.

• Assess mothers’ level of practice regarding exclusive breastfeeding.

Materials and Methods

Research design

A descriptive research design was utilized to achieve the aim of this study.

Research setting

This study was conducted at selected Maternal and Child Health Centers (MCH) in Hadayek Helwan and El Sait Khadra in Helwan district.

Study subjects

A purposive sample of 60 mothers and their accompanying infants were attending the previously mentioned settings for BCG immunization during the first week of life and were satisfying the inclusive criteria.

Inclusion criteria were involved in the study

• Mothers aged (18 years-40 years).

• Mothers who having infants during the first week after birth.

Exclusion criteria

Mothers who having infants with chronic illness either physical or mental.

Tools of data collection

Two tools were used to collect data as the following:

Tool (1): A structured interviewing questionnaire sheet: A structured interviewing questionnaire sheet was designed by the researcher, after reviewing the current available literature and was written in simple Arabic language to suit level of understanding of mothers to assess the following:

Part I: It was comprised the following:

Age, level of education, place of residence, marital status, occupation, family income, number of previous childbearing and number of living children.

• History of previous infant feeding patterns

• Time of colostrum feeding, frequency per day, duration, on demand or on o’clock, and breast-feeding pattern).

Part II: Infants’ characteristics such as; age, sex, birth weight, mode of delivery, place of delivery, ranking between siblings, and exposure to any complications during delivery.

Part III: Mothers’ knowledge regarding EBF such as definition of EBF, breast care before breast-feeding, duration of EBF, benefits of EBF (for infant, mother, family and society), causes of early discontinuation of EBF, mothers’ beliefs regarding breast-feeding, indications of artificial milk, and contraindications for EBF.

Scoring system

Regarding the studied mothers’ knowledge, responses for each question were scored as either correct (1 score) or incorrect (zero). However, some questions were scored as complete correct answer (2 score), or incomplete correct answer (1 score), or do not know (zero).

The total scores were converted to percentages accordingly, categorize the studied mothers’ knowledge into two levels, either unsatisfactory (<60%) or satisfactory (≥ 60%).

Tool (2): Breastfeeding checklist

Breastfeeding checklist that was adapted from to assess the studied mothers reported practice before, during, and after breast-feeding [7].

Scoring system

Concerning the studied mothers’ reported practice, each step was checked as either done (1 score) or not done (zero). The scores of the studied mothers’ total practice were categorized into two levels, either incompetent (<80%) or competent (≥ 80%).

Content validity and reliability

The used study tools were revised for clarity, relevance, comprehensiveness, understanding, and applicability by a panel of 3 pediatric nursing experts from the faculty of nursing, Ain Shams university, and the faculty of nursing,

Helwan university, to assess the content validity of the study tools. The opinions of the experts were elicited regarding the format, layout, consistency, accuracy, and relevance of the tools, and the necessary modifications were done accordingly. Internal consistency and reliability were measured by using Cronbach’s alpha- coefficient test.

Pilot study

The pilot study was carried out on 10% of the study sample (6 mothers and their accompanying infants) at the selected study settings to test the applicability, clarity, and efficiency of the tools, and then the necessary modifications of the tools (paraphrasing of some questions) were done accordingly. The pilot study also served to estimate the time needed for each subject to fill out the study tools, for data gathering purposes. The studied mothers and their accompanying infants involved in the pilot study were later excluded from the main study sample.

Field work

An administrative approval was obtained from the medical and nursing directors of each previously mentioned study setting to carry out the study. The actual field work was carried out in the first of September 2019 up to the end of February 2020 for data collection.

Filling in the study tools was conducted at the waiting area of the previously mentioned settings in the specific days for BCG vaccination (Saturday and Tuesday) at morning shift to collect data and implement this study.

The researcher first met with the mothers and their accompanying infants attending the selected study settings. The researcher then introduced herself to the mothers and simply explained the aim of the study to the mothers who agreed to participate in the study, and then the mothers were interviewed individually using the previously mentioned tools.

III-Administrative Design

The administrative approval to carry out the study was obtained through an issued letter from the dean of faculty of nursing, helwan university, to the administrators, and medical and nursing directors of the study settings, explaining the aim of the study to obtain their official permission and cooperation.

Ethical considerations

Prior to study conduction, an ethical approval was obtained from the scientific research ethical committee of the faculty of nursing, helwan university. Moreover, the researcher clarified the aim of the study to the mothers included in the study.

The mothers’ verbal approval was a prerequisite to recruit them and their infants in the study. The studied mothers were assured that all the gathered data were used for research purpose only and that the study was harmless.

Also, the studied mothers were informed they could withdraw from the study at any time without giving any reason. Furthermore, the confidentiality of the gathered data and results was ensured.

Statistical Analysis

Data collected from the studied sample were revised, coded, and entered using PC computerized data entry and statistical analysis were fulfilled using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 to estimate the statistically significant differences between the variables of the study. Data were presented using descriptive statistics in the form of frequencies and percentages.

Quantitative data were presented in the form of x̅ ± SD. Qualitative variables were compared using chi-square test (X2). Statistically significant differences were considered at p-value <0.05. Highly statistically significant differences were considered at p-value ˂0.001.

Results

Table 1 regarding the studied mothers’ characteristics, this table revealed that, more than half (58.3%) of the studied mothers were in the age group of 20:<30 years, with x̅ ± SD 26.47 ± 5.353 years, more than half (51.7%) of them were secondary school, more than two thirds (66.7%) of them were from urban residence.

Table 1. Number and percentage distribution of mothers according to their characteristics (n=60).

The great majority (93.3%) of them were married, less than three quarters (71.7%) of them were housewife and more than half (55%) of them were satisfied with family income.

Table 2 revealed that more than two fifths (43.3%) of the studied mothers did not know definition of exclusive breastfeeding, more than two thirds (66.7% and 66.7%) of them replied incorrect answer regarding duration of EBF and breast care before breastfeeding respectively.

Table 2. Distribution of the studied mothers’ knowledge about definition, duration of EBF and breast care before breast-feeding (n=60).

Table 3 indicated that more than half (53.3%) of the studied mothers answered incompletely correct answer regarding causes of early discontinuation of EBF.

Table 3. Distribution of the studied mothers’ knowledge about causes of early discontinuation of EBF (n=60).

Table 4 illustrated that more than two thirds (66.7% and 60%) of the studied mothers answered incompletely correct answer regarding benefits of exclusive breastfeeding for infant and mother respectively.

Table 4. Distribution of the studied mothers’ knowledge about benefits of EBF for the infant and mother (n=60).

Table 5 illustrated that more than half (53.4% and 63.3%) of the studied mothers did not know benefits of exclusive breastfeeding for family and society respectively.

Table 5. Distribution of the studied mothers’ knowledge about benefits of EBF for the family and society (n=60).

Table 6 showed that the great majority (90% and 90%) of the studied mothers answered incompletely correct answer regarding causes of early discontinuation of EBF during the first 6 months related to the mother and infant respectively.

Table 6. Distribution of the studied mothers’ knowledge about causes of early discontinuation of EBF during the first 6 months (n=60).

Table 7 represented that 50% and 60% of the studied mothers answered incompletely correct answer regarding permanent and temporary contraindications of breast-feeding related to the mother respectively.

Table 7. Distribution of the studied mothers’ knowledge about contraindications of breast-feeding related to the mother (n=60).

Table 8 stated that about two thirds (63.3%) of the studied mothers did not know permanent contraindications of breastfeeding related to the infant and more than one third (46.7%) of them answered incompletely correct answer regarding temporary contraindications of breast-feeding related to the infant.

Table 8. Distribution of the studied mothers’ knowledge about contraindications of breast-feeding related to the infant (n=60).

Table 9 clarified that 63.3% and 60% of the studied mothers answered incompletely correct answer regarding maternal beliefs about EBF and benefits of artificial milk respectively.

Table 9. Distribution of the maternal beliefs of EBF and benefits of artificial milk (n=60).

Table 10 showed total score level of the mothers’ knowledge regarding EBF and revealed that nearly two thirds (63.3%) of the mothers had unsatisfactory knowledge regarding EBF.

Table 10. Distribution of total score level of the mothers’ knowledge regarding EBF (n=60).

Table 11 clarified that 53.3%, 66.7%, 56.7%, and 53.3% of the studied mothers did not perform the following steps before breast-feeding as hand washing with soap and water, wash breasts with warm water, observe breast (full, soft, and rounded, no skin redness), and keep infant is lying in comfortable position respectively while 60%, 51.7%, 53.3%, and 56.7% of the studied mothers were perform the following steps before breast-feeding as sit in a comfortable position with your back brace, avoid restricted clothes, avoid nipples (prominent, not cracked or bruised), and wake up infant before breast-feeding respectively.

Table 11. Distribution of the studied mothers’ reported practice regarding preparation of breast-feeding (n=60).

Table 12 illustrated that 56.7%, 60%, 53.3%, and 55% of the studied mothers did not perform the following steps during breast-feeding (latching on) such as observe infant to have a normal skin color, alert, and waking for feeds, maintain eye to eye contact and talk with infant, keep infant’s body straight, head extended and slightly elevated, and make infant’s lips hold nipple and start to suck respectively while 55% and 53.3% of the studied mothers were perform the following steps during breast-feeding (latching on) such as keep infant reaches for the breast, roots open wide, tongue movement explores the breasts and observe that breast-feeding promotes mother and infant bonding respectively.

Table 12. Distribution of the studied mothers’ reported practice regarding breast-feeding (latching on) (n=60).

Table 13 clarified that 60%, 60%, 55%, 51.7%, 51.7%, 55%, 60%, and 60% of the studied mothers were perform the following steps during breast-feeding such as keep infant is held close to the mother’s body, infant stays attached, does not slip off, keep infant calm and alert, though eyes may close towards end of feed, observe infant’s mouth is moist, and infant feels with satisfaction, lower lip curled out, no heard sound from mouth, slow deep sucks, bursts with pauses, rhythmic swallowing seen and heard, and infant releases breast spontaneously at the end of feed respectively.

Table 13. Distribution of the studied mothers’ reported practice during breast-feeding (n=60).

Table (14) clarified that 61.7%, 53.3%, 63.3%, 66.7%, 70%, 63.3%, 60%, and 53.3 of the studied mothers did not perform the following steps after breast-feeding such as observe milk in the infant’s mouth and around the nipple, keep infant is satisfied and secured, burb the infant after breast-feeding, place the infant in right side position after breast-feeding, observe infant has at least 6 wet nappies in 24 hours, observe infant has at least 2 wet nappies in 24 hours where meconium changes from black, green to yellowish stool after 4 days from birth, monitor infant weight gain 20-35 gram/day during first 4 months, monitor infant weight gain 85 gram/week during first 4-6 months respectively while 53.3% and 56.7% of the studied mothers were perform the following steps after breast-feeding such as keep nipple intact, normal shape and color, and observe areola. No bruising or compression marks respectively.

Table 14. Distribution of the studied mothers’ reported practice after breast-feeding (n=60).

Table 15 stated total score level of mothers’ reported practice regarding EBF and revealed that more than three quarters (76.7%) of the studied mothers were incompetent reported practice regarding EBF.

Table 15. Distribution of total score level of mothers’ reported practice regarding EBF (n=60).

Table 16 clarified that there was no statistically significant difference between total level of studied mothers’ knowledge about EBF and their characteristics at p>0.05.

Table 16. Relation between total level of studied mothers’ knowledge about EBF and their characteristics (n=60).

Table 17 illustrated that there was statistically significant difference (r=0.985, P<0.004) between total mothers’ knowledge and reported practice regarding EBF.

Table 17. Relation between total mothers’ knowledge and reported practice EBF (n=60). *: Statistically significant difference at p<0.05.

Discussion

Regarding the studied mothers’ characteristics, the findings of the current study (Table 1) revealed that; more than half of the studied mothers were in the age group of 20: <30 years. These findings were similar to some extent to an Indian study of, entitled "Barriers to exclusive breastfeeding in rural community of central Gujarat, India" which revealed that the mean age of the studied mothers was 24.6 years ± 3.5. From the researcher point of view, this similarity may be due to the age of marriage and having children is nearly similar in the study settings [8,9] .

As regards mothers’ educational level, the findings of the current study illustrated that more than half of them were secondary school; these findings came in line with the study of, in Nigeria which was entitled "Breastfeeding education and exclusive breastfeeding practices among mothers in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria" and revealed that 64.7% of the studied mothers were secondary school [10].

However, these contradicted with the findings of the study of, in Jakarta, Indonesia, entitled "Factors affecting exclusive breastfeeding in term infants" which stated that more than two thirds of the studied mothers were high educational level [11].

From the researcher's point of view, these differences may be due to more educated mothers make better use of health services and provide better infant care including breast-feeding. Regarding mothers’ residence, the findings of the current study clarified that more than two thirds of them were from urban residence.

Although this contradicts with the findings of the study of, in a similar Egyptian study entitled "Breast feeding knowledge and practices among primiparous women with caesarean section: impact on breast engorgement in Upper Egypt" which stated that 52.2% of the studied sample were from rural areas. From the researchers’ point of view, these differences may be due to differences in the study setting [12]. The findings of the present study clarified that the great majority of them were married.

These findings were supported by the study of, which revealed that 92% of the studied mothers were married [13].

Regarding mothers’ occupation, the findings of the current study stated that, more than two thirds of them were housewives and more than half of them were satisfied with family income. These findings were supported by the study of, in western Bhutan, entitled "Factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding practices in western Bhutan" which revealed that two-thirds of the mothers were housewives [14].

Concerning the studied mothers’ knowledge about definition and duration of EBF, the present study (Table 2) revealed that more than one third of the studied mothers did not know definition of EBF. These findings were contradicted with the study of, in Jabodetabek, Indonesia, entitled "Exclusive breastfeeding among working mothers in Jabodetabek, Indonesia" which stated that the perception of the breastfeeding mothers regarding definition, duration and benefits of exclusive breastfeeding is quite good [15].

These findings also contradicts with the findings of the study of, entitled " Exclusive breastfeeding rates and factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding practices in Northern Tanzania: measurement using two different methodologies-24 Hours recall and recall since birth", which stated that 73% of the studied mothers reported correct definition of EBF. From the researcher's point of view, these findings may have been due to differences in educational levels of mothers [16].

As regards to the studied mothers’ knowledge about duration of EBF, it was clarified that more than two thirds of them replied incorrect answer regarding breast care before breastfeeding and duration of EBF. These findings were contradicted with the study carried by; entitled "Constraints of exclusive breastfeeding practice among breastfeeding mothers of Dhaka Slums" which stated that period intended to breastfeed infant exclusively was 6 months. Also this contradicted with a similar Egyptian study of, entitled "Factors that influence exclusive breastfeeding: A literature Review" which stated that 42.5% of mothers reported EBF to infants less than 4 months of age. From the researcher's point of view, these differences may have been due to differences in cultures and beliefs of mothers [17,18].

Regarding the studied mothers’ knowledge about causes of early discontinuation of EBF, the present study (Table 3) indicated that more than half of the studied mothers reported incompletely correct answer regarding causes of early discontinuation of EBF. The findings of the current study came in line with the study of, in Ghana which was entitled "Beliefs of exclusive breastfeeding among women in Ghana" and revealed that more than half of the studied mothers reported that the main cause of early discontinuation of EBF was lack of knowledge and skills. These findings also were in accordance with the study that was conducted by, in Tanzania, entitled "Facilitators and barriers to breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding in Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania: A Qualitative Study" and stated that breastfeeding causes breast sag. From the researchers’ point of view, these may be due to lack of awareness of the studied mothers regarding causes of early discontinuation of EBF [19].

Regarding the studied mothers’ knowledge about benefits of EBF for the infant and mother, (Table 4) illustrated that more than two thirds of the studied mothers replied incompletely correct answer regarding benefits of EBF for the infant and mother. These findings were supported by the Egyptian study of, entitled "Determinants of exclusive breastfeeding in a sample of Egyptian infants" which revealed that EBF had short-term and long-term health benefits for infants and mothers.

As regards the studied mothers’ knowledge about benefits of EBF for the family and society, the current study (Table 5) showed that more than half of the studied mothers did not know benefits of exclusive breastfeeding for family and society. It was contradicted with, in a similar Egyptian study entitled "Factors that influence exclusive breastfeeding: A literature Review" which concluded that if 90% of new mothers' breastfed exclusively for six months, 13 billion health care dollars would be saved. The family also saves indirect costs related to fewer medical bills and fewer lost days of work because the infant is healthier [20].

Regarding the studied mothers’ knowledge about causes of early discontinuation of EBF during the first 6 months, the current study (Table 6) illustrated that the great majority of the studied mothers reported incompletely correct answer regarding causes of early discontinuation of EBF during the first 6 months related to the mother and infant. These findings were in agreement with, in the study entitled "Determinants of exclusive breastfeeding in rural South India" which clarified that the mothers most frequently reported discontinuation of EBF due to insufficient breast milk [21].

As regards the studied mothers’ knowledge about contraindications of breast-feeding related to the mother, (Table 7) represented that half and more of the studied mothers reported incompletely correct answer regarding permanent and temporary contraindications of breast-feeding related to the mother respectively. These findings came in line with, entitled "Facilitators and barriers to breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding in Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania: A Qualitative Study" which showed that the studied mothers reported that breastfeeding while pregnant or while having extramarital affairs was harmful to the infant.

Regarding the studied mothers’ knowledge about contraindications of breast-feeding related to the infant, the current study (Table 8) stated that about two thirds of the studied mothers did not know permanent contraindications of breast-feeding related to the infant and more than one third of them replied incompletely correct answer regarding temporary contraindications of breast-feeding related to the infant. These findings came in accordance with Marcdante and Kliegman, who reported that there are limited numbers of medical contraindications for breast feeding, including pediatric metabolic disorders such as galactosemia and phenylketonuria. Concerning maternal beliefs of EBF and benefits of artificial milk, the present study (Table 9) showed that more than half of the studied mothers reported incompletely correct answer regarding maternal beliefs about EBF and benefits of artificial milk. These findings were supported by the study of, entitled "Breastfeeding knowledge and exclusive breastfeeding of infants in first six months of life" which revealed that 95.3% of the studied mothers believed that breastfed infants develop at a slower rate, 39.7% of the studied mothers reported that eating of gas-producing food by breastfeeding mother is the cause of colic in infant, 59.4% of the studied mothers reported that formula-fed infants have a greater risk to become obese, 95.5% of the studied mothers reported that the composition of infant formula was not the same as breast milk and 95.1% of the studied mothers reported that infant formula was not better source of nutrients than human milk. From the researcher's point of view, these findings may have been due to differences in cultures, beliefs and educational levels of mothers.

The present study (Table 10) showed that more than half of the studied mothers had unsatisfactory total level of knowledge regarding EBF and more than one third of them had satisfactory total level of knowledge regarding EBF. These findings were contradicted with the study of, entitled "Factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding practices in western Bhutan" which revealed that 45% of the studied mothers were have good level of knowledge.

Concerning the studied mothers’ reported practice regarding preparation of breast-feeding, the current study (Table 11) clarified that 53.3%, 66.7%, 56.7%, and 53.3% of the studied mothers did not perform the following steps before breastfeeding as hand washing with soap and water, wash breasts with warm water, observe breast (full, soft, and rounded, no skin redness), and keep infant is lying in comfortable position respectively while 60%, 51.7%, 53.3%, and 56.7% of the studied mothers were perform the following steps before breast-feeding as sit in a comfortable position with your back brace, avoid restricted clothes, avoid nipples (prominent, not cracked or bruised), and wake up infant before breast-feeding respectively.

Concerning the studied mothers’ reported practice during breast-feeding (latching on), the current study (Table 12) stated that 56.7%, 60%, 53.3%, and 55% of the studied mothers did not perform the following steps during breast-feeding (latching on) such as observe infant to have a normal skin color, alert, and waking for feeds, maintain eye to eye contact and talk with infant, keep infant’s body straight, head extended and slightly elevated, and make infant’s lips hold nipple and start to suck respectively while 55% and 53.3% of the studied mothers were perform the following steps during breast-feeding (latching on) such as keep infant reaches for the breast, roots open wide, tongue movement explores the breasts and observe that breastfeeding promotes mother and infant bonding respectively.

Concerning the studied mothers’ reported practice during breast-feeding, the current study (Table 13) illustrated that 60%, 60%, 55%, 51.7%, 51.7%, 55%, 60%, and 60% of the studied mothers were perform the following steps during body, infant stays attached, does not slip off, keep infant calm and alert, though eyes may close towards end of feed, observe infant’s mouth is moist, and infant feels with satisfaction, lower lip curled out, no heard sound from mouth, slow deep sucks, bursts with pauses, rhythmic swallowing seen and heard, and infant releases breast spontaneously at the end of feed respectively.

Concerning the studied mothers’ reported practice after breastfeeding, the current study (Table 14) clarified that 61.7%, 53.3%, 63.3%, 66.7%, 70%, 63.3%, 60%, and 53.3 of the studied mothers did not perform the following steps after breast-feeding such as observe milk in the infant’s mouth and around the nipple, keep infant is satisfied and secured, burb the infant after breast-feeding, place the infant in right side position after breast-feeding, observe infant has at least 6 wet nappies in 24 hours, observe infant has at least 2 wet nappies in 24 hours where meconium changes from black, green to yellowish stool after 4 days from birth, monitor infant weight gain 20-35 gram/day during first 4 months, monitor infant weight gain 85 gram/week during first 4-6 months respectively while 53.3% and 56.7% of the studied mothers were perform the following steps after breast-feeding such as keep nipple intact, normal shape and color, and observe areola. No bruising or compression marks respectively.

The present study (Table 15) showed that more than three quarters of the studied mothers were incompetent reported practice regarding EBF. These results were in agreement with a study carried by, entitled "Infant feeding perceptions and barriers to exclusive breastfeeding in Urban and Rural Cameroon" which stated that there was a limited understanding of the correct practice of exclusive breastfeeding. From the researcher's point of view, this may have been due to lack of experience of the studied mothers regarding exclusive breastfeeding.

The findings of the present study (Table 16) clarified that there was no statistically significant difference between total level of studied mothers’ knowledge about exclusive breastfeeding and their characteristics at p>0.05. These findings were supported by the study of, in Iran, entitled "Factors affecting exclusive breastfeeding: theory of planned behavior" which showed that no statistically significant relationship between EBF behavior and mother’s age, mother’s education level, and mother’s job (p>0.05).

The findings of the current study (Table 17) illustrated that there was statistically significant difference (r=0.985, P<0.004) between total mothers’ knowledge and reported practice regarding EBF.

Conclusion

The present study concluded that, nearly two thirds of the studied mothers had unsatisfactory knowledge regarding EBF, more than three quarters of the studied mothers were incompetent regarding EBF, there was no statistically significant difference between total level of studied mothers’ knowledge about EBF and their characteristics at p>0.05, and there was statistically significant difference (r=0.985, P<0.004) between total mothers’ knowledge and reported practice regarding EBF.

Recommendations

In the light of the study findings, the following recommendations are suggested

• Periodical health education and awareness programs about the importance of exclusive breastfeeding should be directed for young and primipara mothers.

• Antenatal counseling and family support should be emphasized to educate and prepare mothers for EBF.

• Emphasize the importance of the pediatric nurse’s role in promoting and supporting mothers for EBF.

• Further research is required involving a larger study sample of mothers and their infants at different pediatric health care settings.

Research Questions

• What is the studied mothers’ level of knowledge and practice regarding exclusive breastfeeding?

• Is there a relation between mothers’ knowledge and practice regarding exclusive breastfeeding and their characteristics?

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