Title: Exclusive Breastfeeding the most cost-effective intervention- An evidence from rural community of Haryana

Authors: Dr Sunidhi Karol, Dr Pardeep Khanna, Dr Mohit Karol

 DOI:  https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v6i8.53

Abstract

Background: Exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months is the most cost-effective intervention for the survival of a child.

Material & Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted in Community Development Block, Beri, district Jhajjar, Haryana over the period of one year.In the present study 400 mothers of children aged 6-23 months were selected with multistage random sampling method and interviewed using structured questionnaire for Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices. Data were analyzed with using SPSS-20.0, Chi-square, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression tests.

Results: Exclusive breastfeeding for six months was observed to be 59.2%, Colostrum given almost universally to all infants (95%). 33% infants were given pre-lacteal feeds in the form of sweetened water, ghutti, honey, water etc. around 86% infants were breastfed adequately and on demand. Bottle feeding was observed in 26% of which more than half among 6-23months age group. Only 6% were given artificial pacifiers in form of teats.

Conclusion: compliance to IYCF practices has shown slight improvement since the last NFHS survey in 2015-2016 but still well below the WHO recommended guidelines for Infant and Young Child Feeding.

Keywords:  exclusive breastfeeding, pre-lacteal feeding, colostrum, bottle feeding, IYCF.

References

  1. Krishnaswamy K. Nutrition research current scenario and future trends. Hyderabad: Oxford & IBH publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd;2000. Chapter 8, Infant Feeding and Weaning Dilemma in Developing Countries; p.81-4.
  2. Papastavrou M, Genitsaridi SM, Komodikie, Paliatsou S, RMidw, Kontogeorgou A et al.Breastfeeding in the Course of History. Journal of Paediatrics and Neonatal Care. 2015 Sept8;2(6):11-9.
  3. India Fact Sheet. National Family Health Survey-4: Mumbai: IIPS; 2015-16. 8p.Available from: http://rchiips.org/NFHS/factsheet_NFHS-4.shtml[Accessed 2017 October 10]
  4. Haryana Fact Sheet. National Family Health Survey-4: Mumbai: International Institute for Population Sciences; 2016. 6p. Available from: http://rchiips.org/NFHS/pdf/NFHS4/HR_FactSheet.pdf[Accessed 2016 May 24]
  5. District Fact Sheet. District Level Household and Facility survey -4: Mumbai: International Institute for Population Sciences; 2014. 8 p. Available from: https://nrhm-mis.nic.in/DLHS4/State [Accessed 2015 March 15]
  6. Garg M, Hasan M, Kapur D. Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices in Udupidistrict, Karnataka. J Nut Res. 2015 Jan 21; 3(1): 38-44.
  7. Khan AM, Kayina P, Agrawal P, Gupta A, Kannan AT.A study in infant and young child feeding practices among mother attending urban health centre in east Delhi. Indian Journal of Public Health. 2012 Jan 24; 56(4): 301-4.
  8. Parashar A, Sharma D, Thakur A, Mazta SR. Infant and young child feeding practices - insights from a cross-sectional study in a hilly state of North India. International Journal of Nutritional Pharmacology, Neurological Diseases. 2015 Jun 08; 5(3): 103-7.
  9. Chandwani H, Prajapati A, Rana B, Sonaliya K. Assessment of infant and young child feeding practices with special emphasis on IYCF indicators in a field practice area of Rural Health Training Centre at Dabhoda, Gujarat, India. International Journal of Medical Science and Public Health. 2015 Apr 24; 4(10): 1414-9.
  10. Padmanabhan PS, Mukherjee K. Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF): A Gap Analysis between Policy and Practice. Indian Journal of Nutrition. 2017 Jun 14;4(3): 165-7.
  11. Tewabe T. Timely initiation of breastfeeding and associated factors among mothers in Motta town, East Gojjam zone, Amhara regional state, Ethiopia, 2015: a cross-sectional study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2016 Oct 19; 16: 314-21.
  12. Reddy S, Abuka T. Determinants of Exclusive Breastfeeding Practice among Mothers of Children Under Two Years Old in Dilla Zuria District, Gedeo Zone, Snnpr, Ethiopia, 2014. Journal of Pregnancy and Child Health. 2016 Feb 26; 3(1): 224-30.
  13. Bulk-Bunschoten AM, Bodegon W, Reerink SV, Jong JD, Groot C.J. Reluctance to continue breastfeeding in the Netherlands. ActaPaediatrica. 2001; 90:1047-53.
  14. Lande B, Andersen LF, Berug, AB, Trygi, KU, Lund-Larsen K, Veierod M.B, Bjorneboe G.E. Infant feeding practices and associated factors in the first six months of life: The Norwegian infant nutrition survey. Acta Pediatrica, 2003; 92:152-61.
  15. Duong D.V, Binns, C.W, Lee A.H. Breast feeding initiation and exclusive breastfeeding in rural Vietnam. Public Health Nutrition. 2004;7(6):795-99.
  16. Batal M, Boulghourjian C, Abdallah A, Afifi R. Breast-feeding and feeding practices of infants in a developing country: A national survey in Lebanon. Public Health Nutrition. 2006; 9(3):313–9.
  17. Jain S, Borle A, Agrawal SS, Mishra MK, Gupta SK, Bathma V. Assessment of Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices Among Mothers in Rural Madhya Pradesh. National Journal of Community Medicine. 2014 Dec 31; 5(4): 419-23.
  18. Das N, Chattopadhyay D, Chakraborty S, Dasgupta A. infant and young child feeding perceptions and practices among mothers in a rural area of West Bengal. Ann Med Health Sci Res.2013 Jul 03;3(3):370-5.
  19. Infant and young child programming guide. New York: nutrition section, UNICEF; 2012.Available from: https://www.unicef.org/nutrition/files. [Accessed on 2015 Feb 25]

Corresponding Author

Dr Sunidhi Karol

Junior Resident, Department of Community Medicine, PGIMS, Rohtak