Study on Utilization of Breast Feeding Booths in Major Bus Terminals by Lactating Mothers in Selected Districts of Tamil Nadu Shankar S.1,*, Raghuram V.2, Elango3, Jothi N. Leka4, Madhubala K.4 1Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Chennai Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Trichy, Tamil Nadu. 2Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Chennai Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Trichy, Tamil Nadu. 3Professor & HOD, Department of Community Medicine, Chennai Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Trichy, Tamil Nadu. 4Intern, Department of Community Medicine, Chennai Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Trichy, Tamil Nadu. *Corresponding Author: Dr. Shankar. S, Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Chennai Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Trichy, Email: drshankarcmchrc@gmail.com
Online published on 20 March, 2019. Abstract Introduction Breast feeding is the optimal source of infant nutrition. Our government of India and Tamilnadu have taken various steps to promote breastfeeding, one of which was lactating rooms or nursing covers in major bus terminals in Tamilnadu. This project aims at analyzing the utilization of lactating booths by breastfeeding mothers and spreading awareness about breastfeeding booths in bus terminals and making sure that the lactating mothers are comfortable with every aspects. Methodology It is a cross sectional descriptive study involving major bus terminals in Tamilnadu involving mothers of child less than 2 years of age crossing our study site for a period of one month with sample size of 200 by interviewing them with predesigned semi-structured questionnaire. Result Among the study population, 71.5%(143) are aware of lactating booths and only 19.5% (39) of surveyed population is making use of breastfeeding booths, while others are not happy with breastfeeding booths because of various aspects like feeling of insecurity/shyness, poor infrastructure, use of bottle milk etc. Utilization of lactating booths by breastfeeding mothers has been increased from 38.5% in past one year to 61.5% in past 6 months. Conclusion & Recommendation Though lactation booths increases the rate of breastfeeding, it can be achieved more by removing the social stigma on breastfeeding and making it more acceptable. Top Keywords Breast feeding booths, Privacy, Bus Terminals, Utility, Tamil Nadu. Top |