Assessing WHO's IYCF Indicators in Mangalore Taluk-A Cross sectional Study Javalkar Sandhya Rani* Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, JJM Medical College, Davangere, Karnataka *Corresponding Author: Dr. Sandhya Rani Javalkar, MBBS, MD Community Medicine Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, JJM Medical College, Davangere, Karnataka-577004 Mobile: 9036567046, Email: sandhyaranijavalkar@gmail.com
Online published on 11 July, 2019. Abstract Introduction Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices are a set of well-known and common recommendations that includes guidelines on breastfeeding practices and timely introduction of complementary foods. Objectives To assess the WHO's IYCF indicators among the urban and rural population in Mangaluru Taluk, Karnataka. Methods A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among mothers of children in Mangalore Taluk, Karnataka. Data collected by personal interview among 408 mothers using a predesigned pretested questionnaire Results Indicators like Exclusive breast feeding under 6 months (47.8% in urban and 45.6% in rural), Introduction of solid and semi solid foods (90.0% in rural and 92.0% in urban) and minimum meal frequency (83.3% rural and 81.9% urban) were almost same in both urban and rural areas. Early initiation of breast feeding (50% in rural and 42.8% in urban), Continued breast feeding (60.4% in rural and 50.7% in urban) was better in rural compared to urban area. Indicators-minimum dietary diversity (21.3% in rural and 37% in urban), and minimum acceptable diet (20% and 31.9%) were poor in both the areas. Conclusion Few indicators performed better in urban areas and few indicators performance was better in rural area. The poor performance of indicators can be reduced by providing right knowledge to the mothers and family members at right time and counseling them about the common low cost nutritious foods that are locally available. Top Keywords Infant and young child feeding, breastfeeding, Minimum acceptable diet. Top |