Prevalence of Inverted and Flat Nipples and Acceptance of Corrective Measures among Expectant Mothers in Rural Khordha

Introduction: Inverted or flat nipples, if not addressed during the antenatal period, can hinder successful breastfeeding. Women facing these issues often struggle with early initiation and may discontinue exclusive breastfeeding before six months. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of inverted and flat nipples among pregnant women and to explore the factors that facilitate or hinder the acceptance of corrective interventions. Methodology: The community-based mixed-method explanatory study was conducted in the rural field practice area (RHTC) of a tertiary health center in Eastern India. A total of 156 participants were recruited by simple random sampling. A female physician performed breast examinations of the participants, maintaining privacy, and surgical grading was used for classification. Barriers and facilitators of acceptance of corrective measures were identified using a qualitative method involving multiple stakeholders. Results: One in 10 individuals (10.9%) in our study reported having a flat nipple. The majority of the participants (>80%) were under 30 years of age. Around one fifth (18.6%) of the mothers were aware of inverted or flat nipples, and 26.3% of mothers were detected as a high-risk pregnancy in the antenatal visits. Most mothers in our study had misconceptions about it or were unaware. The socio-cultural barriers played a significant role in the knowledge of the mothers regarding inverted or flat nipples and possible complications. Conclusion: The main reason for the lack of detection is lack of knowledge and socio-cultural determinants. Early identification of the anomalies and appropriate timely intervention will improve breastfeeding outcomes.