Knowledge, Practice & Breastfeeding Support Among Mothers of Children aged 6-24 months in Kanyakumari: A Mixed-Method Study

The study aims to examine the influence of breastfeeding support and knowledge on breastfeeding practices among mothers of children aged 6-24 months in Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu. It follows a mixed-method approach, combining a cross-sectional survey to assess breastfeeding knowledge, practices, and support with Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) to explore barriers to effective breastfeeding support. The study will be conducted in selected villages within four blocks of Kanyakumari, chosen through a cluster sampling method, with systematic random sampling used to select participants from Anganwadi center records. A total of 590 mothers will be included, based on a sample size calculation using NFHS-5 data estimating a 64% prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding. The study will use a semi-structured, validated questionnaire for quantitative data collection and FGDs for qualitative insights. Quantitative data will be analyzed using Jamovi, applying Pearson/Spearman correlation to assess the relationship between knowledge and practices, while qualitative data will be manually coded and analyzed for themes. The findings are expected to provide insights into breastfeeding behaviors, the role of community and healthcare support, and the challenges faced by mothers, ultimately informing strategies to improve breastfeeding practices and support systems in the region.