A comparative study of breast feeding practices in working women

IOSR Journals , 2019

Introduction: Exclusive breastfeeding is defined by the World Health Organization as infant feeding that consists of only breastmilk. exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life, and continued breastfeeding with age-appropriate complementary feeding until 2 years of age. This has the potential to prevent approximately 19% of all under-5 years of age deaths in the developing world, more than any other preventive intervention. Although breastfeeding rates are progressively increasing worldwide, optimal breastfeeding practices are lagging behind, especially in rural and low resource settings including rural populations in India. Therefore, understanding and identifying factors associated with suboptimal breastfeeding practices in rural and low-resource settings can help improve nutrition care in early years of life. Materials and method: A cross-sectional survey of postpartum women admitted in obstetric ward of DMCH, Darbhanga, Bihar was conducted between 1 st February 2018 and 30 th April 2018. Both caesarean section and normal delivery patients were included in this study. After proper consent by mother they were interviewed based on detailed questionnaire. Women who were HIV positive or whose neonate was critical or admitted in NICU were excluded from this study. A total of 250 samples were included in this study. A standard questionnaire was developed for this study which included both open and closed ended questions. Exclusive breastfeeding was defined by feeding of breastmilk only (as per the World Health Organization), and mixed infant feeding was defined as feeding of both breastmilk and formula milk and/or water. Qualitative information such as the influences on breastfeeding, and opinions on breastfeeding versus top feeding were also elicited. Result: Out of 250 mothers interviewed 178 (71%) had initiated breastfeeding while 72 (28.8%) had not yet started to breastfeed their baby. It was observed that age group 18-24 had least percentage of breastfeeding as compared to those in elder age group. Among all demographic and social personal characters of mother, medical illness, mode of delivery and previous breastfeeding were found to be strongly in correlation with breastfeeding rates. Among those breastfeeding their baby 84 mother were giving exclusive breastmilk to their babies while remaining were giving mixed feeding (breastmilk along with top feeding, either formula feed or cow milk). Among women who were not breastfeeding their baby main reason was lack of breastmilk production followed by difficulty in initiating breastfeeding following ceaserean section. Poor nutritional status of mother in our region as well as social myths prevelant in area can be reason behind such pattern.

National Journal of Community Medicine, 2016

Introduction: Breastfeeding plays a very important role in determining the growth and development of the infant. Considering women’s empowerment, increased women workforce in India, this study was conducted with the objective of comparing infant feeding practices among working and non-working women. Methods: The present study is a hospital based cross-sectional comparative study using purposive sampling with a sample size of 214, 107 in each arm of working and non-working mothers of the children aged between 13-24 months, attending the immunization centre of the Paediatric Medicine department in JSS Hospital, Mysuru from January 2014 to December 2014. Results: Majority among both the groups were found to be below 25 years of age. 53.3% of the non-working and 42.1% of the working women had initiated breastfeeding within one hour of birth. 95.3% of non-working women and 97.2% of the working women had fed their children with colostrum. Conclusion: Exclusive breastfeeding rate was quite higher among the non-working group compared to the working group of women. Mother’s education, socio-economic status, type of family, type of delivery, birth order were the factors found to have influence on breastfeeding practices in the present study.

International journal of current research and review, 2013

Objective: To elicit the breastfeeding practices prevalent in this rural backward area Methods: A community based cross sectional study wherein 236 mothers were interviewed regarding their place of delivery and breast feeding practices followed by them. Results: 236 mothers all of whom had a normal delivery were interviewed. 80.5% mothers had delivered in an institution. Only 5.1% mothers initiated breast feeding within half hour of delivery. 66.1% mothers gave prelacteal feeds and 72% gave colostrums to their neonates. Exclusive breast feeding was practiced by 27.1% mothers while 91.1% practiced demand feeding. Conclusion: It is often said that breast feeding is the foremost natural immunisation a baby receives and it saves more lives than any other preventive intervention. Such is the importance of breast feeding and this should be communicated to every woman using the appropriate medium.

International Journal of Health Sciences and Pharmacy, 2017

Background: The status of breast milk practices is dismal in India in spite of specialized nutrient to newborns by way of breast milk. Culture influences breastfeeding decisions of mothers which have an influence on overall growth, development, health and nourishment of infants and children. Objectives: Assessing the maternal information, approach, and practices towards breastfeeding among mothers. Breastfeeding correlation with a number of antenatal visits, hospital education, maternal education, parity, mode of delivery, holding the baby after delivery, socioeconomic status, employment, religion and sex of the child, and prelacteal feeds. Methods: In a study, 400 mothers with children up to 2 years attending hospitals over a one year period. Data was collected using a self-administered standardized questionnaire. Statistical Analysis: The data was analysed regarding mean, frequencies, percentages, Chi-Square test and Spearman’s correlation test. Results: Breast feeding was deferre...

Background: Breast feeding is the optimal method for achieving a normal growth and development of the child. This study aimed to find out the breast feeding practice among the female patients attending in Dhamrai Upazila Health Complex, Bangladesh. Methodology: A cross-sectional study of 110 women having child less than 5 years old was included using a semi structured questionnaire from 1st May to 15th May 2017. Sampling technique was convenience sampling. After collection the data were checked and verified and edited. Compilation and tabulation of data were done according to key variables by using computer and calculator. Results: Importance of breast feeding was known to most mothers but initiation of breast feeding within one hour of birth was known by (62%) of mothers. 70.92% gave colostrum within one hour of the child birth. 32.44% gave all type of food in addition to breast milk during lactation period to their babies. 54% exclusively breast fed their babies for about 1–4 months, Half of them had continued breastfeeding for a total of 19 to 24 months. 54.55% of them gave khichuri as a complementary food. 58.80% disagree regarding contraceptive advantage of breast milk and (77.27%) use contraceptive method during lactation period. Conclusion: Importance of breast feeding was known to most mothers. The condition can be improved if the importance of giving colostrum to the infant, early initiation of breast feeding after delivery, maintaining duration of exclusive breast feeding and improve maternal education is implemented. The grass root workers at the community level should be involved in providing health education to the mothers and other family members. Key words: Exclusive Breast Feeding, Colostrum, Complementary feeding.

Indian Journal of Forensic and Community Medicine, 2019

The best food for the infant is breastmilk as it provides the nourishment in the first year of life. Greater chances of survival are seen more in breastfed children as compared to artifically fed child. But today in many affluent societies, breast feeding appears to have become a lost art. Objectives: To assess the breast feeding practices and to educate the mothers about the importance of breast feeding and its advantages. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in a District Hospital, Koppal. A total of 110 women were included in the study and data was collected using a structured questionnaire for a period of three months from January 2018 to March 2018. Data was entered in Microsoft excel and descriptive proportions were used to analyze the data. Results: Among 110 women who participated in the study 63.7% belonged to 17-21 years age; about 60.9% belonged to lower middle and lower class (60.9%). Gradutaes were 6.4% and more than half of them are living as nuclear family. Majority were from rural background (79%) and 88% had delivered at an institution. 56% women delivered normally and birth spacing of more than 2 years was seen in 77% women. Babies who were fed within 30 minutes after birth were 25% and 65% exclusively breastfed their infants upto 6 months. Colostrum feeding was observed in 83% women while pre-lacteal feed was seen in 17% women. We can conclude from this study that mothers had an average knowledge about breast feeding but had poor feeding practices. It is necessary to educate all the mothers about breastfeeding and its importance.

Breastfeeding remains the simplest, healthiest and least expensive. feeding method that fulfils the infants’ needs and it is also important for reducing child morbidity & mortality. Research question: What is the situation of breast feeding practices among infant living in Akola district of Maharashtra. Objective: 1.To find out socio-demographic factor for breast feeding.2. To study infant feeding practices in study population Material & method: A cross sectional study was conducted in Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College Akola. A 246 respondent were included in the study. All mothers coming to immunization clinics for their children’s immunization on Monday and Thursday were interviewed. The information about subjects demography, and practices towards breast feeding were collected from the mother on pre designed and pretested Porforma. Study period: January 2013 to June 2013 over a period of six months. Results : A 246 lactating mother were included in the study. Majority of subjects 126( 51.21%) in the age group 24-29 years. About 198 (80.48%) lactating mother initiate breast feeding practices within ½ hour after the delivery. Most common cause of delay in initiation in breast were caesarian section and delivery complication (53.12% and 21.88% respectively) Only 39(15.85%). baby were given pre-lactal feed. Conclusion : study shows 84%infant did not received prelactal feeding, only 15.84 received prelactal feeds, 80.48% received breastfeeding within ½ hour this shows right practice of breast feeding in Akola district of Maharashtra.

National Journal of Community Medicine, 2016

Backgrounds: The initial growth of a child depends upon the duration and frequency of breastfeeding it receives, since the breast milk provides important nutrients to infants and young children and protects them against certain infections and helps in the child survival. Materials and Methods : A community based Cross sectional study was conducted from May 2014 to August 2014 in therural fields practice ofK.S. hedge medical academy .A total of 278 houses from the list were visited. Data was Collected in pretested andSemi StructuredQuestionnaire by Interview technique. Results: The initiation of Breastfeeding was done within one hour by 37.4% .Only 89(29.5%) of the children were given prelacteal feeds in the form of honey, sugar water in our study.Nearly 213 (76.6%) of the mothers had fed colostrum to the newborn soon after delivery. Conclusion:Prelacteal feeds and colostrum was discarded by the majority of the primi parous mothers than multiparous mothers. Hence IEC activities should be enhanced so as to change the behaviour of 100% mothers for Initiation of breastfeeding at the earliest, exclusive breastfeeding and weaning practices.

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health, 2016

Under any circumstances, breast milk is the ideal food for the infant. No other food is required by the baby until 6 months after birth. Feeding the baby exclusively on breast milk, without any other source of nutrition for a period of 6 months is called exclusive breast feeding. 1 A child who is breast fed has greater chances of survival than a child artificially fed. The data suggests that infant mortality rates in developing countries are 5-10 times higher among children who have not been breast fed or have been breast fed for less than 6 months. 2 Despite the ABSTRACT Background: Feeding the baby exclusively on breast milk, without any other source of nutrition for a period of 6 months is called exclusive breast feeding. A child who is breast fed has greater chances of survival than a child artificially fed. The data suggests that infant mortality rates in developing countries are 5-10 times higher among children who have not been breast fed or have been breast fed for less than 6 months. Despite the marked advantages of breast feeding, its popularity has declined significantly in many parts of the world including India. The main objectives were (1) to assess breastfeeding practices prevalent amongst lactating mothers; (2) to identify misconceptions regarding failure to adopt exclusive breast feeding and weaning; (3) To counsel and motivate mothers for exclusive breastfeeding. Methods: Mixed methods study (qualitative cum quantitative). 60 lactating mothers were interviewed and their knowledge and awareness on breast feeding was assessed through a pre-designed, semi-open questionnaire. Focused Group Discussions (FGD) were also conducted among Lactating Mothers, their Mothers or Mother in laws at Anganwadi centers of selected sites. Results: 63.34% mothers did colostrum feeding. Only 45% of them breastfed exclusively. 48.33% gave prelacteal feeds like honey and water. LSCS was major cause of delayed initiation of breastfeeding. Many agreed regarding non supportive attitude from family. Majority of mothers had poor knowledge regarding proper positioning and attachment while breastfeeding. Conclusions: Proper counseling and training of mothers must be done at the time of delivery by the doctors and the nursing staff regarding breastfeeding practices. Anganwadi workers must also actively counsel the mothers regarding exclusive breast feeding. Supporting women who are self-employed or who work in the informal economy is required.

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health, 2016

Background: Breastfeeding is a universal phenomenon common to all cultures with its benefits and advantages being widely publicized. In fact, breastfeeding plays a very important role in reducing the morbidity and mortality of the under 5 children. There has been an increasing trend of breastfeeding in the western countries in the last 2 decades but the trend in developing countries particularly India remains abysmally poor. Also the information gathered from family and friends is often inadequate. The objective of the study was to find out the knowledge and attitude of antenatal mothers towards breastfeeding and their association with the different socio-demographic variables. Methods: The present cross-sectional study was undertaken in MCH Clinic of Nasibpur Union Health Centre. Response to each question was given a weighted score, scores were added to assess the perception of breast feeding among the study population and then regression analyses were done using SPSS Version 20 software. Results: Out of a total of 76 mothers, increased level of education was observed to be significantly associated with good knowledge score (OR 0.062, CI 0.004-0.979). Parity was found to have a significant association with both good knowledge scores (OR 0.070, CI 0.020-0.249) and good attitude scores (OR 0.152, CI 0.049-0.472). Conclusions: It is strongly felt that strategies for adoption of correct infant feeding habits especially breast feeding can be inculcated among all mothers by intensive IEC and by updating the knowledge of the field health workers through relevant on job trainings and workshops.