Knowledge regarding Breastfeeding among Pregnant Women Attending Tertiary Care Center of Kathmandu: An Observational Study

Abstract

Introduction: Breastfeeding is the optimal source of nutrition for infant growth and development. It offers nutritional, immunological, behavioral, and economic benefits and strengthens mother– infant bonding. Adequate knowledge during pregnancy is essential to promote breastfeeding practices. This study aimed to assess the breastfeeding knowledge of pregnant women attending a tertiary care center.

Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 350 pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic of a tertiary care center. Women were selected using simple random sampling. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a self-developed, structured Nepali questionnaire. Ethical approval and written informed consent were obtained. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20, with descriptive statistics and chi-square tests .

Results: Most of the pregnant women; 303(86.6%) were 20 to less than 35 years of age, 165(47.1%) were Brahman/Chhetri ethnicity, 215(61.42%) live in joint family, 191(54.6%) were homemaker. Nearly half, 162(46.3%), had secondary level education, and 295 (84.28%) had sufficient income for one year. Over 45.1% were primigravida, 218(62.3%) had four or more antenatal checkups, and 270(77.1%) planned their pregnancy. About the level of knowledge, 134(38.3%) had a high level, 113(32.3%) had a moderate level, and 103(29.4%) had a low level of knowledge. Breastfeeding knowledge showed a statistically significant association with residence, ethnicity, women’s educational level, husbands’ educational level, gravida, number of antenatal care check-ups, and sources of information.

Conclusions: About one-third of pregnant women reported an adequate level of breastfeeding knowledge. Therefore, targeted programs and educational interventions are needed to improve breastfeeding knowledge and promote breastfeeding practices.