Abstract

Background: United Nation children’s fund and world health organization recommend colostrums as newborns perfect food that should be initiated within the first hour after birth. Breastfeeding is a common practice in Ethiopia, importance of colostrums feeding is still poorly understood. Objective: To assess knowledge, attitude and practice towards colostrums feeding among ANC attendant pregnant mothers in MTUTH, Bench-Maji, SNNPR and South West Ethiopia 2016/2017. Methods: The data was collected by using semi-structured questionnaire which contain variables as well as both open and close-ended questions in face to face interview for a total of 207 women who follow ANC were included in the study. Results: This study showed that 65.2% of mothers had information about colostrums feeding during pregnancy from various source. 138 (66.66%) of mothers have knowledge about advantage of colostrums feeding. Most mothers had positive attitude (69.4%) about colostrums feeding and 72.46% agreed that colostrums is good milk for body growth and mental development for newborn. Conclusion and recommendation: Many women had good knowledge, positive attitude and practice about colostrums feeding but the data still indicates further effort are required to improve knowledge, attitude and practice of colostrums feeding. so, there should be clear policy guideline to promote colostrums feeding as well as EBF. Its practicability should monitor by concerning body.

Keywords: Attitude; Knowledge; Practice; Colostrum; Antenatal; Ethiopia