Background: Colostrum, the initial milk secreted following delivery, is packed with antibodies and vital nutrients. Despite its benefits, cultural myths and lack of awareness often lead to its avoidance. Objectives: To assess knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of postnatal mothers regarding colostrum feeding, to examine correlations among them, and to explore associations with demographic variables. Methods: A quantitative descriptive study was carried out with 225 postnatal mothers at a rural tertiary care hospital in Maharashtra. Information was gathered using a structured and validated questionnaire assessing knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP). The data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Results: More than half of the mothers (52.9%) had inadequate knowledge, while 66.7% reported unfavorable attitudes. In contrast, the majority demonstrated good to excellent feeding practices. Mean scores were 5.86 ± 2.89 (knowledge), 20.62 ± 6.09 (attitude), and 7.0 ± 1.56 (practice). Strong positive relationships were found between knowledge and attitude (r = 0.975), knowledge and practice (r = 0.672), and attitude and practice (r = 0.624). Significant associations were found between knowledge and age/education, attitude, and religion/gravid status, and practice with family type, residence, and mode of delivery. Conclusion: Despite favorable feeding practices, inadequate knowledge and negative attitudes remain a concern. Targeted health education interventions are recommended to improve awareness and attitudes toward colostrum feeding.

Keywords: Attitude, breastfeeding, colostrum, knowledge, postnatal mothers, practice

🔒 This is a subscription article

Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.

Background: Colostrum, the initial milk secreted following delivery, is packed with antibodies and vital nutrients. Despite its benefits, cultural myths and lack of awareness often lead to its avoidance. Objectives: To assess knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of postnatal mothers regarding colostrum feeding, to examine correlations among them, and to explore associations with demographic variables. Methods: A quantitative descriptive study was carried out with 225 postnatal mothers at a rural tertiary care hospital in Maharashtra. Information was gathered using a structured and validated questionnaire assessing knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP). The data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Results: More than half of the mothers (52.9%) had inadequate knowledge, while 66.7% reported unfavorable attitudes. In contrast, the majority demonstrated good to excellent feeding practices. Mean scores were 5.86 ± 2.89 (knowledge), 20.62 ± 6.09 (attitude), and 7.0 ± 1.56 (practice). Strong positive relationships were found between knowledge and attitude (r = 0.975), knowledge and practice (r = 0.672), and attitude and practice (r = 0.624). Significant associations were found between knowledge and age/education, attitude, and religion/gravid status, and practice with family type, residence, and mode of delivery. Conclusion: Despite favorable feeding practices, inadequate knowledge and negative attitudes remain a concern. Targeted health education interventions are recommended to improve awareness and attitudes toward colostrum feeding.

Keywords: Attitude, breastfeeding, colostrum, knowledge, postnatal mothers, practice

🔒 This is a subscription article

Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.