A study of knowledge and practice of breast feeding in urban slum area under urban health centre in Solapur city, Western Maharashtra

Abstract

INTRODUCTIONAs per UNICEF global databases 2015, globally only about two fifth of children benefit from exclusive breast feeding. Percentage of children worldwide put to the breast within one hour of birth is 44%. Exclusively breastfed (0-6 months) is 39%; children's receiving solid, semi-solid or soft foods (6-8 months) is 65% and continuing to be breastfed at 1 year is 74%. Continued breast feeding up to 2 years (20-24 months) is 49%.1 In India though breastfeeding is nearly universal, very few children begin breastfeeding immediately after birth. Countrywide data from National Family Health Surveylll (2005Surveylll ( -2006 documented that only 24.5% mothers initiated breastfeeding within desired one hour after the birth and almost 45 percent did not start breastfeeding within one day of birth. As many as 57% women practiced prelacteal feeding, proportion of exclusively breastfed infants at 6 months of age was 46.4%. At age 6-8 months, only 53 percent children were given timely complementary feedings (breast milk and complementary food) which later increased to 74 percent at age 9-11 months.2 With this background, this study was conducted to assess the infant feeding practices in an urban slum and the knowledge of mother regarding it. The findings of the study can be used to change the attitude of mothers toward the breast feeding and have healthy child rearing practices. ABSTRACTBackground: Country wide data from National Family Health Survey-III (2005)(2006) documented that only 24.5% mothers initiated breastfeeding within desired one hour after the birth and almost 45 percent did not start breastfeeding within one day of birth. As many as 57% women practiced prelacteal feeding, proportion of exclusively breastfed infants at 6 months of age was 46.4%. Methods: The proposed study included cross sectional study of socio-demographic features and breast feeding profile of mothers attending Urban Health Training Centre. 400 mothers of infants aged 6-12 months were interviewed using pretested semi-structured questionnaire. Details about the socio-demographic characteristics and breast feeding practices and knowledge about breast feeding were obtained. Then results were analyzed at the end of data collection. Results: In the present study, out of 400 mothers, 41.25% mothers practice exclusive breast feeding. The knowledge of mothers about the breast feeding, among this knowledge regarding time of initiation of breast feeding after normal delivery and caesarean section was maximum i.e. 93.25%, followed by 57.25% mothers having knowledge regarding duration of exclusive breast feeding. The mothers having minimum knowledge was regarding continuation of breast feeding i.e. 40.25%. Conclusions: This study throws light on the mothers knowledge about breast feeding and what they actually practice. Breastfeeding practices like exclusive breast feeding, prelacteal feeding was less than the national average.

Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Mothers/caregivers on Infant and Young Child Feeding in Assosa Woreda, Assosa Zone, Benshangul Gumuz Region, Western Ethiopia: A Cross Sectional Study

“…This nding was higher than the study ndings in Bennatsemay woreda (45.7%), and Nairobi city (49.5%) (22,23). On the other hand, this nding was lower than the study ndings in Shebele Zone, in India and Solapur city (24)(25)(26). This inconsistency might be due to time gap between studies and difference in the study settings; since the current study was done among mothers in with lower socio economic status whereas the former studies included mothers in the Woreda with better socio economic characteristics.…”

“…Mother's attitude about IYCF practices was less evidenced than the general knowledge base. In a similar study (26), 82.2% mothers had a positive attitude about EBF (24). On the contrary, other study did not nd a desirable attitude of mothers towards IYCF practices even though the mothers perceived good knowledge.…”

“…For poor growth of children, poor practices can be one of the reasons. In a study conducted in Solapur city of Maharashtra, only 41.25% mothers exclusively breast-fed their child and 58.75% fed complementary foods to their children before 6 months of age (26). One such study in Kerala reported that 84.1% mothers exclusively breast-fed their child (27).…”

Knowledge, attitude and practices of lactating mothers towards breastfeeding in a tertiary care hospital Nagpur: a cross sectional study

“…Similar finding was observed by Patel et al 15 A total 64.25% mothers were having knowledge regarding duration of exclusive breastfeeding in our study, whereas, in study conducted by Rajput et al it was 57.25%. 16 Maximum numbers of mothers i.e. 89% were nonworking and 11% were working in our study.…”

“…However, in study conducted by Rajput RR it was 92.75% and 7.25% of participants were nonworking and working respectively. 16 Authors found on demand breastfeeding in 55% of participants. However, in study conducted by Mise et al it was 60.7%.…”