Original Research Article
Year: 2022 | Month: May | Volume: 12 | Issue: 5 | Pages: 117-127
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20220515
Knowledge and Practice of Breastfeeding and Infant Feeding Practices among Different Socio-Economic Mothers from Ghazipur Region in East Delhi
Suman Kumari1, Anita Gupta2, Uday S Annapure1,3
1Department of Food Engineering and Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai.
2Department of Community Medicine, University College of Medical Sciences &
GTB Hospital, New Delhi.
3Institute of Chemical Technology, Marathwada Campus, Jalna, India.
Corresponding Author: Uday S Annapure
ABSTRACT
Background: Exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months and continued for two years or more protects the infant from infectious and chronic degenerative diseases in the future. The knowledge, attitude, and practice of breastfeeding and infant feeding practices among mothers are important to prevent these comorbidities.
Research aim(s)/question(s): The present study aimed -to assess the knowledge and practice of breastfeeding and infant feeding practices among mothers of different socio-economic status in a region of Delhi.
Methods: The study was a cross sectional study conducted among postpartum mothers having children below 1.5 years.
Results: Around 52% of the mothers were exclusively breastfeeding, 62% experienced skin-to-skin & breastfeeding within an hour after delivery. The majority of the mothers knew the importance of colostrum for their babies and were aware that no prelacteal feed was needed for the initial 6 months. There was an association between exclusive breastfeeding and mother’s age, baby age, breastfeeding support group, and family income (p<0.05). Low family income has a positive effect on breastfeeding duration.
Conclusion(s): It was found that the breastfeeding rate is still less in the present study therefore different information, education and communication activities need to be planned to target all the strata to fill the gaps in knowledge and practice of breastfeeding among mothers.
Key words: breastfeeding; cross-sectional; infant feeding; postpartum; colostrum; prelacteals.