Journal of Education and Health Promotion

Abstract BACKGROUND: Addressing good breastfeeding practices among antenatal and postnatal mothers 
is important as it helps in bringing about a positive change in the behavior, attitude, and practice 
with appropriate health education. Hence, this study was done to determine the awareness level 
of antenatal and postnatal mothers about the breastfeeding practices and benefits and identify the 
factors associated with it in rural Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted this community‑based cross‑sectional study among 
377 antenatal and postnatal mothers in the selected rural villages of Chengalpattu between October 
2019 and September 2020. Details regarding the sociodemographic characteristics and awareness/
knowledge about the breastfeeding were collected using pretested semistructured questionnaire. 
Knowledge adequacy was summarized as proportion with 95% confidence interval (CI), and factors 
associated with knowledge were interpreted as adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) with 95% CI using 
log‑binomial regression.
RESULTS: About 19.6% (95% CI: 15.7%–24.0%) mothers had inadequate knowledge about 
breastfeeding. Women who were unemployed (aPR = 1.60; 95% CI: 1.02–2.51), belonging to the lower 
socioeconomic status (aPR = 2.62; 95% CI: 1.80–3.82), belonging to Muslim religion (aPR = 1.63; 
95% CI: 1.14–2.35), and living in joint family (aPR = 1.58; 95% CI: 1.12–2.21) had significant higher 
risk of inadequate knowledge about breastfeeding practices compared to those who were employed, 
belonging to upper socioeconomic status, Hindu religion, and living in nuclear family.
CONCLUSION: We found that almost one‑fifth of the antenatal and/or postnatal mothers had 
inadequate knowledge about the breastfeeding benefits and practices. Health education sessions are 
required to promote the awareness about breastfeeding during antenatal and postnatal check‑ups.

Abstract Background: The study tries to understand what are the dimensions of Reproductive Health
care seeking behavior among the urban slum women in Delhi, their level of awareness and
treatment seeking patterns? Materials and Methods: The study was carried out in one of the
slum in south district of Delhi. 253 women of reproductive age group were selected by systematic
random sampling. Interpersonal interview was conducted to seek information on the selected
parameter. Results: Around three/fourth women had undergone for blood pressure check up,
weight recording and stomach/abdomen check up during pregnancy. Only 39.9% received
advice on avoiding intake of medicine during pregnancy. About 14.6% mentioned that at least
40 days rest were required for resuming daily routine activities after delivery. Thus majority of
these slum women are ignorant about the importance of post natal care which was necessary
for post delivery care of the women and her infant. Conclusion: The correct knowledge on the
importance of ANC and PNC and various checkups need to be carried out during pregnancy
and postnatal period needs to be imparted to these women. Thus, health education and health
promotion campaigns are needed for bring changes in the existing health‑seeking behaviors
among urban slum women.