Empowering Future Mothers: A School Intervention Approach to Promote Breastfeeding Awareness among Adolescent Girls in Rural Uttar Pradesh, India

Previous studies have highlighted the potential of educational interventions in improving breastfeeding awareness and attitudes among adolescents. 11 For instance, a study in rural Bangladesh demonstrated significant improvements in breastfeeding knowledge following school-based educational programs. 12Similarly, interventions in rural parts of Africa have shown positive changes in breastfeeding perceptions and intentions among IntroductIonBreastfeeding is recognized globally as a critical practice for ensuring the health and well-being of both infants and mothers.The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the initial 6 months of life, followed by complementary feeding along with continued breastfeeding for up to 2 years or beyond. 1 Breastfeeding has numerous benefits, including reduced risks of infections, improved child survival rates, and enhanced maternal health. 2,3Despite its well-documented benefits, breastfeeding rates remain suboptimal in many regions, particularly in rural areas of developing countries such as India. 4,5 In rural Uttar Pradesh, sociocultural factors, lack of knowledge, and misconceptions significantly hinder breastfeeding practices. 6 Adolescents, who are future mothers, often lack adequate information about breastfeeding, which perpetuates a cycle of poor breastfeeding practices. 7 Studies have shown that early initiation of breastfeeding can significantly reduce neonatal mortality. 2,8 School-based interventions have been identified as effective strategies to enhance health knowledge among adolescents, owing to the structured environment and the receptive nature of this age-group. 9,10