Original Article Knowledge regarding Breastfeeding Practices among Medical Students of Ziauddin University Karachi Qudsia Anjum 1 , Tabinda Ashfaq 2 , Hemna Siddiqui 2 Department of Community Health Sciences 1 , Department of Family Medicine 2 , Zaiuddin University, Karachi. Abstract Objective: To assess knowledge among medical students of a private medical college regarding breast-feeding practices. Methods: A cross sectional survey of medical students from first year to final year at a private medical college was conducted on a pretested self-administered questionnaire. Students were divided into preclinical and clinical years for analysis. Results: A total of 344 students participated with 159 (47.6%) from the preclinical group and 185 (53.7%) from the clinical group. The mean age of respondents was 22 + 1.5 years. Overall 69% students knew that breastfeeding should be initiated immediately after birth, 42% said that exclusive breastfeeding should be continued for 4-6 months and 33% said that weaning should be started between 4-6 months. Regarding giving colostrum to the newborn, 14% students felt that it should be discarded and 12% from both groups thought that colostrum was harmful. Over two-third (76%) from clinical group and 61% from preclinical group were of the opinion that breastfeeding should be started immediately after birth (p=0.009). Correct age to start weaning was identified by 71% of the clinical group, whereas, the preclinical group stated it to be 7-9 months of age (p<0.001). Conclusion: The knowledge of students regarding breastfeeding was more in the clinical group as compared to the preclinical group, whereas, overall knowledge of the students regarding breastfeeding was low. Medical students being the future physicians will be the first line in dealing with mothers and breastfeeding related problems. The medical curriculum should lay emphasis on counseling regarding maternal and child nutrition (JPMA 57:480:2007). Introduction The global goal for optimal maternal child health and nutrition is that all women should exclusively breastfeed their infant for the initial six months of life. 1 Breastfeeding is considered as the most economical and easily accessible complete nutrition for every new born child. Although exclusive breastfeeding is the best way to feed infants but it is not commonly practiced. 1 The World Health Organization has stated that only 16% of mothers in Pakistan exclusively breastfeed for a period of three months, as compared to other developing countries where the ratio is higher like Bangladesh (46%), India (37%), and Sri Lanka (84%). 2 The child health indicators are alarming in our country and enable us to understand the importance of investing into nutrition of mother and children. Multiple child health programmes have been implemented to improve child health and some indicators have shown progress. The infant mortality rate has been brought down to 79/1000 livebirths, however, malnutrition in children under five has been static for many years. 3 With this situation of malnutrition and infant mortality rate in Pakistan, all possible measures should be taken to support and promote breast-feeding. Health care professionals can play a vital role in promoting breast-feeding among infants. Studies from other Muslim countries have shown that although health professionals had a positive attitude towards breastfeeding but their knowledge was inadequate. 4 Local studies among college female students and school teachers also revealed incomplete knowledge and misconceptions regarding Vol. 57, No. 10, October 2007 480