KUMJ | VOL. 22 | NO. 1 | ISSUE 85 | JANUARY - MARCH
Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Human Milk Banking among Antenatal Mothers Attending Antenatal Clinic
Dhakal RD, Upreti R, Nepal S, Dahal BD, Adhikari P
Abstract: Background
Breast milk is the ideal food that has essential nutrients for the normal growth and
development of infants. It contains antibodies that help to protect against many
common childhood illnesses. For infants who cannot receive breast milk from their
own mothers, due to maternal illness, death, medication, disability, insufficient milk
production, allergies, or prematurity, donated breastmilk can become the ideal
option.
Objective
To assess the knowledge and attitude regarding human milk banking among antenatal
mothers.
Method
A cross-sectional analytical research was conducted among 422 antenatal mothers
attending the antenatal outpatient department of Bharatpur hospital from date 04
November to 04 December 2022. Systematic random sampling was used to select
the study unit. A semi-structured interview schedule was adopted to collect the data.
Collected data were analyzed by using Descriptive statistics as well as inferential
statistics.
Result
Out of 422 mothers, the majority 58.8 % had poor knowledge and 55.9% had a
negative attitude toward human milk banking. There was a significant association
between poor knowledge and negative attitude with some socio-demographic
variables such as age (AOR=2.16; 95%CI= 1.372-3.401; p=0.001), history of adverse
pregnancy outcome (AOR =6.202 95% CI=1.786-21.54;p=0.004), occupation (AOR=
1.906; 95% CI = 1.246-2.915; p=0.003).
Conclusion
It is concluded that the majority of the respondents had poor knowledge and a
negative attitude regarding human milk banking.Knowledge and awareness of
human milk banking, play a major role to remove misperceptions about human milk
donation and banking. Therefore, proper dissemination of information about human
milk bank services, is necessary.
Keyword : Antenatal Clinic, Antenatal mother, Human milk bank, Knowledge and attitude
