Abstract:

Background: Breast health care was rarely acknowledged in the health and science fields prior to this century and has only begun in the recent years to receive attention outside pregnancy/ lactation or cancer screening and treatment. Breast care is an important routine during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Its absence leads to inadequate milk production before and after child birth Therefore, the aim of this study is assess the awareness of breast care to primigravida during lactation period at Bugando Medical Center, Mwanza, Tanzania.

Methods: conducted by using cross-sectional study design involving 95 primigravida, convenient sampling technique was used and data were collected from the primigravida who were available to participate in the study at Bugando Medical Center and results were analyzed by using SPSS.

Results: From the study, It was found that the majority of participant 65(68.4%)out of 95 participant included in the study agreed that they were aware on breast care during lactation, 63(66.3%) agreed that they are aware on benefits of breast care during lactation and 54(56.8%)agreed that breast care help in successful breastfeeding practice, Also majority of participant 57(60%)out of 95 participants included in the study agreed that washing breast with water when showering can affect breast care during lactation, 66(69.5%) agreed that letting nipple dry or rubbing them gently with a towel can affect breast care during lactation, 49(51.6%) agreed that increasing time between feeding can affect breast care during lactation, 48(50.5%) agreed that changing breast pads frequently when they become wet affect breast care during lactation., 45(47.4%) agreed that massaging breast before and after breastfeeding affect breast care during lactation, Also 50(52.6%) agreed that ankyloglossia, 42(44.2%) respondents agreed that Labial frenulum, 67(70.5%)out of 95participant included in the study agreed that pain during breastfeeding results due to improper breast care during lactation, 42(44.2%)out of 95 agreed that mastitis result due to improper breast care during lactation.

Conclusion: The breast care among primigravida observed in the present study are far from recommended norms. No strong association with socioeconomic factors was found, whereas having awareness and being informed about breast care issues by healthcare workers had a positive association with feeding practices. Provision of education to the primigravida should be emphasized, particularly through antenatal and maternal and child clinics, which are well attended by mothers in these areas. The health workers at BMC do not provide enough education on breast care to primigravida which led to complications to the mother such as mastitis and to the children like gastroenteritis thus health workers need to have in depth knowledge and practice, informed by breastfeeding policy.