KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE REGARDING BABY FRIENDLY HOSPITAL INITIATIVE AMONG NURSES OF TERTIARY LEVEL HOSPITAL

Rita Kumari Ban*, Samjhana Kumari Paudel, Sarita Panta and Anisha Shrestha

ABSTRACT

The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is an effort by United Nations Children's Fund (UNICIEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to ensure that all maternities whether free standing or in a hospital, become centers of breastfeeding support. Descriptive exploratory study design was used to assess the level of knowledge and attitude of nurses toward BFHI. Data was collected using semi structured self-administered questionnaire from 96 nurses working at Shree Briendra Hospital, Chhauni. Non-probability purposive sampling was used. This study revealed that more than three fourth (76%) of respondent knew about component of BFHI, more than half (56.2%) of respondents were aware that rooming in is recommended regular care at post-natal ward. More than half (51%) of respondent had correctly defined exclusive breast feeding. Highest proportion (43.8%) of respondents knew about feeding option for HIV positive mother. Almost all (99%) of respondents were positive toward BFHI.

Keywords: Knowledge, Attitude, Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, Nurses.