CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY TO ASSESS THE KNOWLEDGE ON HUMAN MILK BANKING AMONG FINAL YEAR NURSING STUDENTS

Abstract

Human milk continues to be the only milk that is custom-tailored and specifically suitable for human infants, making breastfeeding the optimal form of infant nutrition. In our nation, around 20% of infants are born with low birth weight, resulting in severe mortality and morbidity. Even though Indian women are aware with the notion of breast milk banking, it is the responsibility of nurses to educate working moms about the storage of breast milk. Human milk banks are not a novel notion. The notion of "wet nurses" dates back to at least 4000 years ago. Before the development of bottles and formula, this was the only alternate feeding option for infants. In many regions of the world, it is still common for sisters or friends with infants of comparable ages to share breastfeeding. Regarding optimal growth and development, the World Health Organization advises that newborns be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life. Some effective nursing women generate more breast milk than is required for their infants. These breastfeeding women supported the concept of breast milk donation and the formation of a breast milk bank; nonetheless, it is believed that some mothers had inadequate milk supply. The aims of the study were to investigate the knowledge of nursing students in their final year about human milk banking. A cross sectional descriptive survey design was adopted and convenience sampling technique was used to select 63 members studying at the private nursing colleges situated at district Sirmour, Himachal Pradesh. The Knowledge on Human Milk Banking was assesses through Self Structured MCQ Questionnaires consists of 25 questions. Semi Structured multiple choice questions used to assess the knowledge of nurses regarding human milk and milk banking. The collected data was analysed by using descriptive by calculating mean, median and standard deviation and inferential statistics by applying ANOVA to assess the association of level of knowledge with selected demographic variables under study with SPSS. This study reveals that 21% (13) of the final year Nursing Students had Inadequate Knowledge, 44% (28) had Moderately adequate Knowledge and only 35% (22) had Adequate Knowledge about Human Milk Banking. With regard to Association Level of Knowledge on Human Milk Banking among Final Year Nursing Students has significant statistical association with Economic Status of the Nursing Students at P<0.05 Level. Other variables such as Age in Years, Gender & Habitat has not statistically Significant with Level of Knowledge on Human Milk Banking. This study Reveal that Final year Nursing students knowledge on Human Milk Banking was not up to the mark of expectation, so there is need of continuing nursing education, seminars, workshops and symposium need to be organized addition to the regular curriculum to enhance knowledge of Nursing students on Human Milk Banking. Regular workshops and seminars should be held to expand awareness about human milk and milk banking. The hospital should have clear processes and standards for milk banking. Similar studies may be conducted about the desire of nursing women to give their milk and the necessity of milk banking. Such research will pave the way for the establishment of a human milk bank that will benefit infants in need.