Does literacy status of mother influence breast feeding practices: experience from a semi urban location in Tamil Nadu, India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20173115Keywords:
Pre-lacteal feeds, Colostrum, Exclusive breast feeding, Complementary feeding, Feeding on demand, Mother literacyAbstract
Background: In spite of regular promotion of breast feeding practices at both National and International level, the proportion of children who are exclusively breast fed during the first 6 months of life is very less. The present study was planned to find out the prevalence of correct breast feeding practices among mothers of 12-23 old children enrolled in Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) centers and to find out its relationship with mother’s literacy status in a semi urban location of Tamil Nadu.
Methods: A cross sectional study was done in the ICDS centers. Participants: 127 mothers of 12-23 month old children enrolled in various ICDS centers in the field practice area of Saveetha Medical College. Methodology: Semi structured interviews. Proportion and chi-square were used for analysis.
Results: Overall, 19%of the mothers gave pre-lacteal feeds to their babies, 6% of mothers denied colostrums, 12% started complementary feeding before 6 months. Overall literacy status of the mother was associated with better breast feeding practices; however literacy had a complex relation with different aspects of breast feeding.
Conclusions: The breast feeding practices were relatively better than reported by other studies in the country. However, still there was a significant gap in correct practices of breast feeding.
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