Impact of feeding and breastfeeding practices on the nutritional status of infants in a district of Andhra Pradesh, India
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Date
2012-07
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Abstract
Background. Infant feeding practices have a major role in
determining the nutritional status of children and are associated
with household socioeconomic and demographic factors. We
did a cross-sectional household study to assess feeding practices
of infants and young children in rural areas of Medak district,
Andhra Pradesh.
Methods. A total of 805 child–mother pairs were included
using systematic random sampling. Age-specific feeding patterns
were described using frequencies, proportions and survival
analysis. Logistic regression was done with feeding practice as
dependent and sociodemographic factors as independent
variables.
Results. Breastfeeding was universal in the study area.
Only 22% of mothers initiated breastfeeding within one hour
whereas 44% initiated it within three hours after delivery. The
median duration of exclusive breastfeeding was 5.5 months.
Pre-lacteal use was high (44.7%). Only 41% of infants were
exclusively breastfed for 6 months and 58% of infants (6–11
months) received complementary feeding at 6–9 months of
age. Timely initiation of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding
for 6 months was significantly more likely among
mothers belonging to scheduled castes and scheduled tribes
(OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.10–0.76 and OR 0.24, 95% CI
0.08–0.76). Timely initiation of complementary feeding was
more likely among scheduled caste and scheduled tribe
communities (OR 0.24, 95% CI 0.11–0.54).
Conclusion. Early initiation of breastfeeding (within an
hour of birth) and other feeding practices were associated with
community, type of family and education of mother. Efforts
are needed to promote early initiation of breastfeeding,
exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months and age-appropriate
complementary feeding among infants.
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MESHRAM I I, LAXMAIAH A, VENKAIAH K, BRAHMAM G N V. Impact of feeding and breastfeeding practices on the nutritional status of infants in a district of Andhra Pradesh, India. National Medical Journal of India. 2012 Jul-Aug ; 25(4): 201-206.