Exploring parental perceptions and knowledge regarding breastfeeding practices in Rajanpur, Punjab Province, Pakistan
Abstract Background Exclusive breastfeeding is significantly associated with strong infant immunity and optimal development. The importance of breastfeeding is underestimated. Parental lack of knowledge and unhealthy practices regarding breastfeeding deprive infants of their basic right to mother’s...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2018-07-01
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| Series: | International Breastfeeding Journal |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13006-018-0171-z |
| _version_ | 1811201454130593792 |
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| author | Rubeena Zakar Muhammad Zakria Zakar Lubna Zaheer Florian Fischer |
| author_facet | Rubeena Zakar Muhammad Zakria Zakar Lubna Zaheer Florian Fischer |
| author_sort | Rubeena Zakar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Exclusive breastfeeding is significantly associated with strong infant immunity and optimal development. The importance of breastfeeding is underestimated. Parental lack of knowledge and unhealthy practices regarding breastfeeding deprive infants of their basic right to mother’s milk. In developing countries, including Pakistan, with high child mortality and malnutrition, healthy breastfeeding practices can bring positive changes in child health status. From this perspective, the present study aims to understand parents’ knowledge, attitudes and practical encounters with breastfeeding practices and the factors that prevent them from adopting such practices. Methods A qualitative study was carried out in both rural and urban settings in Rajanpur District of Punjab Province, Pakistan. We conducted 12 focus-group discussions (FGDs) that involved 38 mothers and 40 fathers with children aged under two years who were being breastfed. A thematic content analysis of data collected through FGDs was performed manually. The themes were both inductive and deductive in nature. Results The study found that a majority of participants believed that the first thing given to an infant after birth should not be breast milk but honey, rose flower, or goat’s milk from the hands of an elder in the family or a religious person. No cleanliness measures were practised in this regard. The participants had misconceptions about the benefits of colostrum, which frequently prevented it being given to newborns. Participants reported many factors, such as: insufficient milk syndrome (slow growth of infants due to insufficient daily breast milk intake), a mother’s high workload, lack of social support, the influence of culturally designated advisors, and the promotion and marketing strategies of infant formula companies, that undermined exclusive breastfeeding efforts and encouraged mothers to switch to infant formula. Conclusions Culturally acceptable and integrated public health interventions are needed to improve the breastfeeding-related health literacy and practices of parents, grandparents and communities. This will ultimately reduce the high infant mortality and malnutrition rates in Pakistan. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T02:20:50Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1caeada9dbcf4ce9b9fdf29446ada358 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1746-4358 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T02:20:50Z |
| publishDate | 2018-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Breastfeeding Journal |
| spelling | doaj.art-1caeada9dbcf4ce9b9fdf29446ada3582022-12-22T03:52:07ZengBMCInternational Breastfeeding Journal1746-43582018-07-0113111210.1186/s13006-018-0171-zExploring parental perceptions and knowledge regarding breastfeeding practices in Rajanpur, Punjab Province, PakistanRubeena Zakar0Muhammad Zakria Zakar1Lubna Zaheer2Florian Fischer3Institute of Social and Cultural Studies, University of the PunjabInstitute of Social and Cultural Studies, University of the PunjabInstitute of Communication Studies, University of the PunjabSchool of Public Health, Department of Public Health Medicine, Bielefeld UniversityAbstract Background Exclusive breastfeeding is significantly associated with strong infant immunity and optimal development. The importance of breastfeeding is underestimated. Parental lack of knowledge and unhealthy practices regarding breastfeeding deprive infants of their basic right to mother’s milk. In developing countries, including Pakistan, with high child mortality and malnutrition, healthy breastfeeding practices can bring positive changes in child health status. From this perspective, the present study aims to understand parents’ knowledge, attitudes and practical encounters with breastfeeding practices and the factors that prevent them from adopting such practices. Methods A qualitative study was carried out in both rural and urban settings in Rajanpur District of Punjab Province, Pakistan. We conducted 12 focus-group discussions (FGDs) that involved 38 mothers and 40 fathers with children aged under two years who were being breastfed. A thematic content analysis of data collected through FGDs was performed manually. The themes were both inductive and deductive in nature. Results The study found that a majority of participants believed that the first thing given to an infant after birth should not be breast milk but honey, rose flower, or goat’s milk from the hands of an elder in the family or a religious person. No cleanliness measures were practised in this regard. The participants had misconceptions about the benefits of colostrum, which frequently prevented it being given to newborns. Participants reported many factors, such as: insufficient milk syndrome (slow growth of infants due to insufficient daily breast milk intake), a mother’s high workload, lack of social support, the influence of culturally designated advisors, and the promotion and marketing strategies of infant formula companies, that undermined exclusive breastfeeding efforts and encouraged mothers to switch to infant formula. Conclusions Culturally acceptable and integrated public health interventions are needed to improve the breastfeeding-related health literacy and practices of parents, grandparents and communities. This will ultimately reduce the high infant mortality and malnutrition rates in Pakistan.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13006-018-0171-zExclusive breastfeedingParental perceptionsBreastfeeding knowledge |
| spellingShingle | Rubeena Zakar Muhammad Zakria Zakar Lubna Zaheer Florian Fischer Exploring parental perceptions and knowledge regarding breastfeeding practices in Rajanpur, Punjab Province, Pakistan International Breastfeeding Journal Exclusive breastfeeding Parental perceptions Breastfeeding knowledge |
| title | Exploring parental perceptions and knowledge regarding breastfeeding practices in Rajanpur, Punjab Province, Pakistan |
| title_full | Exploring parental perceptions and knowledge regarding breastfeeding practices in Rajanpur, Punjab Province, Pakistan |
| title_fullStr | Exploring parental perceptions and knowledge regarding breastfeeding practices in Rajanpur, Punjab Province, Pakistan |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring parental perceptions and knowledge regarding breastfeeding practices in Rajanpur, Punjab Province, Pakistan |
| title_short | Exploring parental perceptions and knowledge regarding breastfeeding practices in Rajanpur, Punjab Province, Pakistan |
| title_sort | exploring parental perceptions and knowledge regarding breastfeeding practices in rajanpur punjab province pakistan |
| topic | Exclusive breastfeeding Parental perceptions Breastfeeding knowledge |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13006-018-0171-z |
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