Mothers’ Knowledge, Attitude and Practice about Infant Feeding and Weaning Food in Sylhet: An Empirical Study

Abstract

A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice about infant feeding and weaning food among the mothers of under 2 years children. The study was conducted at M. A. G. Osmani Medical College Hospital, Sylhet period December 2015 to February 2016 by interviewing a total 100 respondents in paediatric ward by using semi-structured questionnaire. Modes of thermoregulation identified included knowledge 81% respondents were known duration of exclusive breast feeding 6 months. 75% respondents did not know about benefits of breast milk. 45% respondents known about breast feeding had contraceptive benefits, 55% respondents were did not known about breast feeding had contraceptive benefits. Modes of face washed before feeding included 80% respondents did not know and 20% respondents were known about washed the hands before feeding. 91% respondents were known started time of weaning food after 6 months. Breast milk protect child from illness 85% respondents were did not know and only 15% respondents were known. Modes of weaning food included 68% respondents given hotchpotches as a first weaning food and only 16% mothers were given cerelac as first food. 50% respondents given complementary feeding 2-3 meals/ day and 28% were given 4-5 meals/day. 78% respondents said that bottles feed safer for baby. Modes of colostrum identified included 80% respondents known about to feed the baby, 17% respondents threw it. 45% respondents were known about breast feed the baby as soon as possible soon after delivery, 27% respondents were known within half an hour.75% respondents said that other food given besides breast milk before 6 months. Finding of the study showed that 69% infant mothers had average knowledge, 23% had good knowledge & 8% had poor knowledge. Among infant mothers nearly 54% had positive attitude and 46% had very positive attitude about infant feeding and weaning.

A Cross-Sectional Study on the Awareness of Breastfeeding and Proper Weaning Practices Among Infant Feeding Mothers Attending Imperial Medical Services Entebbe Wakiso District.

“…These mothers gave what was available for the babies and all were the correct food used for weaning children. These results were similar to those of Suhag & Akter (2020) who asserted that all respondents in their study knew about weaning foods and the time of weaning food after 6 months, but contrary to the study of Hasnain et al (2013) who revealed that some mothers had poor knowledge about weaning foods. Further still, this study's results were contrary to those confirmed in Ghana by Mogre et al, (2016) where the weaning foods included processed, dried, packed, instant snacks, breads, cereals, chips, and noodles available in the market.…”