Evaluation of Child Feeding Practices in Children Presenting in Tertiary Care Hospitals of Punjab
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47489/szmc.v40i3.932Keywords:
Exclusive breastfeeding, maternal, Breastfeeding, Malnutrition, PakistanAbstract
Background: Infant feeding practices play?a great role in growth and development of child. Introduction?of complementary foods after the first six months and continuous exclusive breastfeeding are important in preventing malnutrition and infections.
Objective: The objectives of this study were to assess the frequency of exclusive breastfeeding?and complementary feeding practices in children 0-24 months old in Pakistan, and analyze the impact of maternal factors associated with these practices.
Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out in pediatric departments of tertiary care hospitals, Pakistan. A total 202 mothers with children aged 0-24 months were interviewed; after their consent all participants were enrolled. Mothers with psychiatric problems and children with congenital malformation were excluded from the study. Information was obtained from a structured questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic characteristics, breastfeeding practices and complementary feeding patterns. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics as frequencies and percentages. Pearsons-Chi-square and Fisher’s exact test was used to determine the relationship between maternal characteristics and feeding patterns.
Results: The predominant age group of mothers in this study was 20-29 years (65.8%). The frequency of exclusive breastfeeding for at least first six months was 46.53%. Maternal age significantly associated on-demand breastfeeding and daily breastfeeding feeding frequency (p<0.05). Maternal education, also had its effects on night-time breastfeeding, daily frequency and timing of complementary food introduction (p<0.05). The number of adults living in the house was found to be interrelated with number of time child breastfed.
Conclusion: Among the mothers included in this study, exclusive breastfeeding rate for the first 6 months was very low. Although majority of mothers-initiated breastfeeding soon after childbirth, numerous children were introduced complementary food before the recommended age of six months. Maternal age and education were the key factors that had major impact on feeding practices. Besides, household size was another important factor in relation to infant feeding behavior.
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