Breast engorgement is a painful condition that affects postnatal women. It is associated with unsuccessful breastfeeding, mastitis, and breast inflammation. So, there is need to increase awareness regarding the importance of relief breast engorgement. AIM: The aim of the study was to assess the effect of cabbage leaves on relieving breast engorgement among postnatal women .SETTING: The study was conducted in Post-natal ward of Obstetrics and Gynecology department at Benha University Hospital. DESIGN: A quasi-experimental study design was utilized. SAMPLING: A purposive sample included 100mothers with breast engorgement were enrolled in the study. TOOLS: There four tools of data collection compromised I: structured self-administered questionnaire II: Six point breast engorgement scale were used to assess the severity of pain and engorgement level III: visual analogue pain rating scale and IV: reeda scale used to assess redness, edema of the breast. RESULTS: The mean age of the mothers was 25.8±5.5 years old. More than twenty percent of each group suffered from firm and tender breasts (22.2% & 28.9%). Also, there was a statistically significant difference between the pre and post symptoms of breast engorgement, levels of breast engorgement, pain score, and engorgement score for both groups (p < .05*). CONCLUSION: Application of cabbage leaves compresses is effective for relieving breast engorgement. .RECOMMENDATIONS: Implementation of training programs regarding using cabbage leaves on reliving breast engorgement is recommended to improve women’s perception regarding cabbage leaves. Nurses should be trained to apply cabbage leaves compresses for managing breast engorgement in their discharge teaching plan. |
