DefinePK

Abstract

Introduction: Colostrum feeding, the practice of feeding newborns the first breast milk, is critical for infant health due to its high nutritional and immunological value. However, disparities in knowledge and practice of colostrum feeding may exist between rural and urban communities.
Aim & Objectives: This study aims to assess and compare the knowledge and practices regarding colostrum feeding among women in rural and urban communities of Gurugram, Haryana. The objectives were to assess the knowledge and practices regarding colostrum feeding among women in rural and urban areas, compare these between the two groups, and determine the correlation between knowledge and practice scores.
Methodology: A community‑based comparative cross‑sectional study (April 2024) recruited 150 postpartum women (≤12 months after delivery)—75 each from rural Joniawas and urban Farrukhnagar, Gurugram.  A validated 20‑item knowledge questionnaire and 6‑item practice checklist (Cronbach α = 0.98)  were administered face‑to‑face. Scores were extracted from the master data sheet and analysed with Python 3.11 (pandas/scipy). Knowledge categories were: poor 0‑6, moderate 7‑12, adequate 13‑20. Independent t‑test, χ², and Pearson’s r assessed group differences and associations (α = 0.05).
Results & Discussion: The study found significant differences in the knowledge and practices of colostrum feeding between rural and urban mothers. While 100% of mothers in both areas had prior knowledge, 57.3% of urban mothers reported health professionals as their information source compared to 49.3% of rural mothers who relied on family or friends. Less than 50% of urban mothers and less than 30% of rural mothers had an adequate level of knowledge. Most mothers (92% urban, 89.3% rural) practiced colostrum feeding, but only 21.3% in urban areas and 22% in rural areas continued it for at least three days. Urban mothers had higher mean knowledge and practice scores, with a statistically significant difference at the 0.0001 level. The correlation between knowledge and practice scores was weakly positive but significant in urban areas (p<0.05), while it was not significant in rural areas. The weak positive correlation between knowledge and practice indicates that while knowledge is an important factor, it is not the sole determinant of proper feeding practices. This suggests that other factors, such as cultural practices, support systems, and healthcare accessibility, play significant roles in influencing behavior.
Conclusion: The study indicates that while awareness of colostrum feeding is high in both communities, actual knowledge and optimal practices are significantly lower, particularly in rural areas. Targeted educational programs, enhanced healthcare services, and community engagement are recommended to improve knowledge and practices of colostrum feeding, especially in underserved rural areas.