Knowledge, beliefs and practices of breastfeeding among adults in Tobago East: preliminary findings - Poster abstract

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the knowledge, beliefs and practices of breastfeeding among adults in Tobago East. DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on adults aged > 18 years residing in Tobago East. All participants were interviewed using structured questionnaires. RESULTS: The study comprised 509 persons of who 312 (61 percent) were females. Ninety-five percent (95 percent), 69 percent and 48 percent of the respondents indicated that a baby should be exclusively breastfed at birth, 3 months and 6 months, respectively. The main source of information about breastfeeding was obtained from the health center (53 percent). The mother (50 percent) and both parents (29 percent) were thought to be responsible for making the decision to breastfeed. Sixty-three percent (63 percent) and 80 percent of the respondents did not know about "expressed breast milk and cup-feeding' of a new-born while 82 percent and 47 percent believed that the breastfed baby should be given water and that breastfeeding caused a woman's breast to sag. In addition, 23 percent and 44 percent felt that breastfeeding should be terminated <6 months of age and between 6 and 12 months, respectively. The respondents believed that inadequate maternal nutrition (35 percent) and maternal employment (26 percent) were the principal factors affecting breastfeeding. CONCLUSION: There is a low level of awareness among the respondents regarding the value of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months. These findings can be used to guide the development and implementation of interventions to promote exclusive breastfeeding in Tobago.(AU)