LACTANCIA MATERNA EXCLUSIVA EN LOS ANDES PERUANOS: UN ESTUDIO EN LA PROVINCIA DE TARATA

Abstract

Objective: To determine the relationship between knowledge and attitudes towards exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) in mothers from the province of Tarata in Tacna, Peru. Materials and methods: A basic, non-experimental, analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted with 115 mothers with children aged 0 to 6 months. A knowledge and attitude survey on breastfeeding was administered to mothers from January to June 2023, after obtaining informed consent. Descriptive statistics and the Chisquared test were used for analysis. Results: Most mothers (76.5%) had a medium level of knowledge, followed by 18.3% with high knowledge and 5.2% with low knowledge. 86.1% of mothers with medium knowledge showed an unfavorable attitude towards EBF, while 68.8% of those with high knowledge exhibited a favorable attitude. Regarding the level of knowledge and the emotional dimension towards EBF, mothers with high knowledge predominantly showed a favorable emotional attitude (76.2%), while mothers with medium knowledge tended towards a moderately favorable attitude (87.8%). In relation to the level of knowledge and the behavioral dimension, mothers with high knowledge mostly showed a favorable behavioral attitude (68.8%), while most mothers with medium knowledge showed a moderately favorable behavioral attitude (77.9%). Conclusion: There is a significant correlation between the level of knowledge about EBF and the attitudes of mothers. The need for educational interventions to improve knowledge and thus promote more favorable EBF practices is highlighted.