الفهرس 
? IntroductionOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Breast feeding contains growth factors and hormones which influence brain biochemistry and functional development and are not found in formula milk, the physical or social interaction associated with breastfeeding may stimulate cognitive development, another potential mechanism is that breastfeeding prevent infant from infections and chronic illness (Quigley, 2014). Mothers who breastfeed have been found to report lower levels of perceived stress and negative mood, higher levels of maternal attachment, and perceive their infants as more reinforcing breastfeeding mothers hold their babies for longer and feel more confident as parents (Katkin, 2012).
Poor practices and attitudes toward exclusive breastfeeding have been reported to be among the major reasons for poor health outcomes among children, particularly in developing countries, the promotion and acceptance of practices, such as exclusive breastfeeding, are especially important in developing countries with high levels of poverty, and characterized by a high burden of disease and low access to clean water and adequate sanitation (Magawa, 2014).
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Mother’s attitude has been shown to be a stronger independent predictor of breastfeeding initiation , maternal positive attitudes toward breastfeeding are associated with continuing to be breastfeeding longer and have a greater chance of success, on contrary negative attitudes of mother toward breastfeeding is considered to be a major barrier to initiate and continue breastfeeding (Thomas & Wilkins, 2012).
The present study aimed to assess health awareness regarding breastfeeding among primipara in rural area. To achieve the study objective, a descriptive study had been conducted in four setting of the maternal and child health centers in Menouf. Multistage stratified technique followed for daily data collection until its completion. 106 mothers were included in the study which started from beginning of October (2016) until the beginning of January (2017). It has been done through interview questionnaire sheet to assess health awareness regarding breastfeeding among primipara mothers in rural areas.
The present study revealed that:-
About 74.5% of the primipara mothers their age less than 30years, 99.1% of them are married. In addition 27.4% of them have higher educational level and 80.2% of them are house wife.
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About34.9% of the infant age less than 6months, 54.7% of them are female.
The study illustrated that 58.5% of the primipara mothers have average level of knowledge related to benefits of breast feeding for the mother, 66% , 61.3% respectively of them have good level of knowledge regard to benefits of breast feeding for the baby and for the family.
Adding to 47.2 % of the primipara mothers have poor level of knowledge regard to barriers delay initiation of breastfeeding related to mother such as caesarean birth while 78.3% of them have average level of knowledge regard to delay initiation of breastfeeding related to breast such as nipple inflammation , 71.7% of them have average level of knowledge regard to delay initiation of breastfeeding related to infant such as congenital anomalies in the mouth of baby.
68.9% of primipara mothers have average level of knowledge regarding total knowledge about breastfeeding.
There was a statistically significant difference between education level and mother’s knowledge regarding breastfeeding
In relation to mother’s practices regarding breastfeeding, 57.5%, 56.6% respectively of the primipara
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mothers had satisfactory practices regarding initiation of breast feeding and suitable position for breastfeeding
In addition to 71.7% of the primipara mothers had unsatisfactory level regarding total practices about breast feeding.
The study indicates that there was a highly statistical significant correlation between mother’s knowledge and practices regarding breastfeeding
Concerning mother’s attitude, 73.60% of primipara mothers had positive attitude regarding breastfeeding
There were a highly statistical significant correlation between mother’s attitude and practices regarding breastfeeding
There were no statistical significant correlation between mother’s attitude and knowledge regarding breastfeeding
Based on findings of the current study, it concluded that:
Despite increasing practices among rural primipara mothers and had positive attitude regard breastfeeding, their awareness about right technique about practice is decrease.
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This returned to barriers that delay initiation breastfeeding and lack of awareness of primipara mothers about its benefits.
Based on these findings of the present study the investigator recommended:
Awareness brochure for primipara mothers bout its benefits for mothers, infant and family and right technique of breastfeeding.
Further research on attitudes and practices of mothers on breastfeeding covering large sample in community level.
Development strategies for maternal care during the antenatal and postnatal periods to enhance practice of mothers on breastfeeding.
Training needs could be extended to staff at private clinics and to traditional birth attendants