Effectiveness Of Demonstration On Knowledge Regarding Manual Expression of Breast Milk Among Postnatal Mothers Admitted In Selected Hospitals: A Quasi Experimental Study

Abstract

Introduction: Breast milk Breast milk is a dynamic, perfectly adapted substance providing essential nutrients and bioactive components for infant growth, immunity, and overall health. Initially, colostrum, rich in nutrients and antibodies, is produced to nourish and protect the newborn. Manual expression is a valuable, age-old technique for extracting breast milk using hand movements instead of a pump. It empowers mothers to manage milk flow, relieve engorgement, and feed their infants even when separated or when pumps are impractical. This skill offers flexibility, intimacy, and efficiency, and with practice, mothers can master it to provide nourishment and comfort.

Methodology: The study employed quantitative approach, this study evaluate the knowledge regarding manual expression of breast milk among postnatal mothers using quasi experimental study and one group pretest post test design conducted at selected hospitals with 70 postnatal mothers . The subjects are selected using non probability purposive sampling technique. The tool consists of semi- structured questionnaire on demographic variables and self-administered questionnaire consist of 25 questions on knowledge and observational checklist consist of 20 questions on manual expression of breast milk. The research tool was reliable with a correlation coefficient (r) value of 0.870, the pilot study was conducted on 10 samples and study was feasible.

Results: Assessment of knowledge regarding manual expression of breast milk among postnatal mothers using self-administered knowledge pretest result revealed that 41(58.57%) of the mothers had good level of knowledge score, 15 (21.43%) of the mothers had average level of knowledge score, 11(15.71%) of them had very good level of knowledge score, 3(4.29%) of the mothers had poor level of knowledge score, none of the mothers had excellent level of knowledge score. After the demonstration , 36(51.43%) of the mothers had very good level of knowledge score , 31(44.29%) of the mothers had excellent level of knowledge score, 3(4.29%) of the mothers had good level of knowledge score , none of the mothers had poor and average level of knowledge score. The study reveals Mean knowledge score in pretest was12.62 and standard deviation (SD) is 3.30 and mean percentage of knowledge score in pretest was 50.51 and standard deviation 13.20. and knowledge score in posttest was 15 and maximum knowledge score in posttest was 24. Mean knowledge score in posttest was19.90 and standard deviation (SD) is 2.31 and mean percentage of knowledge score in post test was 79.60 and standard deviation 9.26.Assessment of practice regarding manual expression of breast milk among postnatal mothers using checklist pretest result revealed that 27(38.57%) of the mothers had good level of practice score, 42(60%) mothers had average level of practice score, 1(1.43%) mothers had poor level of practice score, none of the mothers had very good level of practice score. After demonstration 45(64.29%) of mothers had very good level of practice score, 24(34.29%) of the mothers had good, 1(1.43%) of the mothers had average level of practice score, none of the mothers had poor level of practice score.The study reveals Mean practice score in pretest was 10.08 and standard deviation 2.20 and mean percentage of practice score in pre test was 50.42 and standard deviation 11.02. and Mean practice score in posttest was 16.01 and standard deviation 2.10 and mean percentage of practice score in post test was 80.07 and standard deviation 10.51.Mean, standard deviation and mean difference values are compared and student’s paired ‘t’ test is applied at 5% level of significance. The tabulated ‘t’ value was 1.98 and the calculated ‘t’ value was 25.13, which is much higher than the tabulated ‘t’ value at 5% level of significance for overall knowledge score of postnatal mothers which is statistically acceptable level of significance.

Conclusion: The study concluded that the pre-test level of knowledge was at average level which simultaneously gets improved to very good level in post-test after providing demonstration on manual expression of breast milk. Thus it is interpreted that demonstration regarding manual expression of breast milk was effective.