Seema Hasnain, Ashraf Majrooh.
Knowledge and practices of resident doctors and nurses in breast feeding in obstetric and paediatrics departments of Jinnah Hospital, Lahore.
Biomedica Jan ;28(2):156-62.

Breastfeeding is fundamental to the health and development of children and important for the health of their mothers. The promotion and support of breastfeeding is a global priority and an important child – survival intervention and the World Health Organization advocates exclusive breastfeeding for six months. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge and practices among the resident doctors and nurses of Obstetric and Paediatrics departments regarding breastfeeding. It was a descriptive cross sectional study. It was carried out at the Obstetric and Paediatrics departments of Jinnah Hospital, Lahore from March – October 2009. Patients and Methods: Using non-probability purposive sampling, resident doctors and nurses of the obstetrics and pediatrics departments fulfilling the inclusion criteria and who gave their verbal consent were included in the study. Their knowledge and practices regarding breastfeeding were assessed by a pre-tested questionnaire. Results: In a total of 133 respondents, 78 (59%) doctors and nurses were interviewed from the Obstetric department and 55 (41%) doctors and nurses were interviewed from the Paediatrics department. Regarding training for breastfeeding promotion, 98 (74%) of the respondents did not receive any training. The knowledge of the 77 (99%) respondents of the obstetric department and 55 (100%) of paediatrics departments was less than 50%. Regarding practices related to breastfeeding promotion, 58 (74%) and 48(89%) out of 133respondents of obstetric and Paediatrics department had poor practices (< 50%). Conclusion: There is poor knowledge and practices regarding breastfeeding among the health care workers of the tertiary level hospital as they had not received any proper in – service training while working in their respective departments.

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