“EFFECTIVENESS OF BREAST-FEEDING INTERVENTION ON FATHERS OF BREAST FEEDING PROMOTION AMONG PRIMI MOTHERS IN SELECTED HOSPITALS AT KUPPAM, CHITTOOR DISTRICT, ANDHRAPRADESH.”

D. Dhanalakshmi
Page No. 1-4

“Mother's milk is soul food for babies. The babies of the world need a lot more soul food.” Breastfeeding is the “Gold standard” for infant feeding. There are several areas of biological superiority of breastfeeding and breast milk over artificial (formula) milk. Obstetricians and midwives should educate the mother during prenatal and postnatal care for the usefulness of breastfeeding. Breastfeeding for the first 6months of life is the ideal start for babies. Objectives: 1. To assess the pre-test and post-test level of knowledge and attitude of breast feeding among fathers. 2. To compare the pre-test and post-test knowledge scores on breastfeeding among fathers 3. To compare the pre-test and post-test post attitude scores on breast feeding among fathers. 4. To find out the association between pre-test knowledge and attitude scores on breast feeding among fathers with their selected demographic variables. Methods: An evaluative approach, pre-experimental design with one group pre and post-test design was used. Sample size 50 first time expectant fathers Non probability convenience sampling technique was used to select the study samples. An oral examination was done, and the pre-test and post-test were conducted by administering a structured knowledge questionnaire lesson plan on breastfeeding and infant feeding attitude scale (IOWA) was used to impart knowledge and attitude scores on breastfeeding. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.  Results: Out of 50 first time expectant fathers, 19 (36%) of the them were had inadequate knowledge, 31(64%) of them were had moderate adequate knowledge.  In respect to attitude scores of fathers regarding breastfeeding in pre-test about 10 (20%) of them were had strongly disagree, 34 (68%) of them were had neutral and 6(12%) of them were had strongly agree to words the breast feeding respectively. In the post-test Knowledge mean scores were 41.7with a SD 4.97 and pre-test mean 27.1with a SD 4.9 and t-value of 22.56 were significant at the level of p< 0.000. In attitude post-test mean scores were 41.7 with a SD of 10.244 and pre-test mean scores were 44.42 with a SD 7.939 and t- value of 12.86 were significant at the level of p< 0.000. the obtained t – value was 22.56 in knowledge and 12.86 in attitude scare, showed a significant difference suggesting that the breastfeeding promotion method of teaching was effective in imparting knowledge and attitude of first-time expectant fathers on breastfeeding. There is significant relationship between pre-test knowledge scores of the father with their demographic variables showed that age and age at marriage, educational status of the father, family monthly income and health status of the fathers, type of diet, and have you received any Information regarding breastfeeding were significant at the level of p<0.001. the pre-test attitude scores of the father with demographic variables revealed that age, age at marriage and educational status of the fathers were significant at the level of P<0.005. Conclusion: The study concludes that structured teaching programmes was effective in enhancing the knowledge and attitude of fathers on breast feeding promotion among primi mothers.
Keywords Effectiveness, breastfeeding intervention, breastfeeding promotion, fathers