Study of Infant Feeding Practices in the Urban slums of Ballari City Raghavendra Bellara1, Sajjan Saraswati V2,*, Goud T Gangadhara3 1Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Vijayanagar Institute of Medical Sciences, Ballari, Karnataka 2Post Graduate Student, Department of Community Medicine, Vijayanagar Institute of Medical Sciences, Ballari, Karnataka 3Professor and Head, Department of Community Medicine, Vijayanagar Institute of Medical Sciences, Ballari, Karnataka *Corresponding author: Dr. Saraswati V Sajjan, Email ID: saraswatisajjan01@gmail.com Mobile #: +91 9591104443
Online published on 7 February, 2018. Abstract Background Every infant and child has right to good nutrition. One of the important determinants of malnutrition is unscientific infant feeding practices which directly impact the survival of infant in later years of life. Objectives To know the prevalence of breastfeeding practices and optimal complementary feeding practices in the Urban slums of Ballari City and factors influencing the same. Methodology A cross-sectional study was done in the urban slums of Ballari city. Considering the exclusive breast feeding rate of 44%(according to NFHS 3)the sample size was calculated to be 143 and a total of 150 mothers were included in the study. A total of 6 slums were selected for the study. Within each selected slum a total of 25 mothers of infants were selected randomly from Anganwadi registers. Data was collected by interviewing the mothers on a pre-designed, semi structured proforma. Results Optimal breastfeeding practices were assessed where rates of early initiation-52%, prelacteal feeding-34%, colostrum feeding-64% and exclusive breast feeding rate was at 22%. Overall optimal complementary feeding rate was at 18.7%, appropriate time of initiation of complementary feed was at 60.7%, appropriate consistency at 58%, appropriate frequency at 32.7%, appropriate amount at 65.3% Conclusion The overall prevalence of excusive breastfeeding (22%) and optimal complementary feeding practices (18.7%) were less when compared to National average. Socio demographic variables like type of family, education, occupation and income and knowledge, attitude and husbands support were having significant influence on infant feeding practices. Top Keywords Infant feeding practices, Community based cross-sectional study, Ballari. Top |