Satyamanasa Gayatri Vinay S.1 , Sudhagar Mookkappan2
BACKGROUND Breastfeeding is crucial for good maternal and child health (MCH). It is the most economical, easily accessible and the safest form of nutrition for every newborn. It is important to assess the knowledge of Breast-Feeding Practices (BFP) among para-medical staff and to take necessary steps to promote awareness among them. We wanted to assess the knowledge of Breast Feeding Practices (BFP) among para-medical staff working in a private medical college in Puducherry. METHODS A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 150 para-medical staff in a private healthcare facility in Puducherry based on structured Questionnaire. Data was analysed using SPSS software. RESULTS All the participants were aware of the correct time of initiation of breastfeeding and also felt that working mothers should continue to breastfeed. Around 66% of the participants knew the concept of exclusive breast feeding including its duration and around 80% of them felt that colostrum is beneficial to the baby. CONCLUSIONS The study observed some substantial knowledge gaps on Breast Feeding Practices (BFP) observed among the para-medical staff, necessitating a need for more training programs to promote effective Breast-Feeding Practices (BFP).
