Determinants of Exclusive Breast Feeding
in a Rural Community of Maharashtra.
Wadde Satish K.1,
Yadav Vallabh B.2
1Associate
professor, Department of Community Medicine, MIMSR Medical College,
Latur (MS) INDIA.
2Professor
& Head, Department of Community Medicine, MGM�s Medical College,
Aurangabad (MS) INDIA.
Academic Editor: Dr.
Aher K. R.
BACKGROUND:
-
The
breast feeding practices adopted in terms of duration, frequency and
exclusiveness of breast feeding and weaning have great impact on
complete physical, mental and psycho-social development of the child.
Exclusive
breast saves many lives by preventing malnutrition and infections. It
gives the babies the best start in life. It is essential for the health
growth of child. OBJECTIVES: - 1. To study the exclusive
breast feeding practices in rural community. 2. To study some factors
related to exclusive breast feeding. MATERIAL & METHODS: - The
present cross sectional study was conducted in three adopted villages of
Department of P.S.M., S.R.T.R. Medical College, Ambajogai, Maharashtra.
306 mothers with youngest child in age group of 4-24 months were
included in the study. The information was collected by interviewing the
mothers with the help of pretested, predesigned proforma. RESULTS: -
All the mothers� age ranged between 18 to 35 years. Out of 306 mothers
enrolled in the study 66.01% were illiterate. Only 87 (28.43%) mothers
followed exclusive breast feeding. Very less no. of illiterate mothers
followed exclusive breast feeding as compared to literate mothers.
Exclusive breast feeding was less prevalent in mothers of lower
socioeconomic status than the upper one. Significant number of mothers
from nuclear and joint families followed exclusive breast feeding as
compared to mothers from third generation families. 61 (34.46 %) of 177
hospital delivered mothers practiced exclusive breast feeding as
compared to 26 (20.16%) of 129 home delivered mothers where chi square
was significant. CONCLUSION: - Only 28.43 % mothers followed
exclusive breast feeding which shows a very less. All the mothers should
be encouraged to follow exclusive breast feeding practice as it is very
beneficial for the physical, mental and psychosocial developmental of
the child.
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