Year: 2026 | Month: June | Volume: 16 | Issue: 6 | Pages: 134-142
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20260615
The Practice of Exclusive Breast Feeding and Its Determinants Among Mothers of Under Two Years Children Attending an Urban Primary Health Center of North Karnataka - A Cross-Sectional Study
Shivasharan H N1, Prashant Kumar W2, Manjula K3
1Senior Resident, Department of Community Medicine, 2,3Post graduate, Department of Community Medicine,
Ballari Medical College and Research Centre, Ballari, Karnataka, India- 583103
Corresponding Author: Dr. Shivasharan H N
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Breastmilk is the supreme nourishment for infants. It is safe, clean and encompasses antibodies which safeguard the infants against numerous childhood illnesses. Exclusively breastfed child is 14 times more likely to survive than the non-breastfed child. The breastfeeding and child feeding patterns in the urban area are highly impacted by religion, social and cultural beliefs, customs and traditions. Hence the above study was done to determine the practice of exclusive breastfeeding and its determinants in urban North Karnataka
Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted for a period of 3 months in the immunization clinic of urban health training center, Ballari medical college and research center, Ballari, Karnataka. All the mothers of children between 6 months to 2 years of age were included. Those not willing to participate were excluded. 270 participants were recruited and consecutive sampling technique was used.
Results: The practice of exclusive breast feeding was 71%. 24% introduced prelacteal feeds. The key causes for nonexclusive breast feeding were non production of enough milk in the mothers (35.9%) followed by lack of knowledge and awareness about the exclusive breast feeding. (34.6%). Socio economic class of the mothers, birth weight of the newborns, early initiation of breastfeeding and colostrum feeding had significant association.
Conclusion: Training the health care professionals regarding the proper techniques of breastfeeding and imparting the education to the expectant mothers during antenatal visits, implementation of community level programs for promoting breast feeding further enhances the rate of exclusive breastfeeding.
Key words: Practice, Exclusive breast feeding, Determinants, Urban