Infant and Child Feeding Practices among Tribal Population in Bangalore district, Karnataka
Journal Title: National Journal of Research in Community Medicine - Year 2015, Vol 4, Issue 4
Abstract
Introduction: Tribes constitute 8.2% of the Indian population. Social barriers may prevent the utilization of available nutrition supplementation programmes and services for women and children. Each tribe has its own unique practices of child-bearing and child rearing. These practices continue to be neglected in spite of their important role in the growth of infants. Objectives: To assess the infant and child feeding practices in a tribal community in Bangalore district, Karnataka and to assess nutritional status of the children by anthropometry. Methodology: It was a cross sectional study conducted in a tribal community in Bangalore district during the period of October 2013 to April 2014. After obtaining institutional ethical clearance, door to door survey was conducted using interview schedule and nutritional status of children was assessed by anthropometry. Results: We interviewed mothers of 73 children aged 0-5 years. The mean age of the mothers was 23 years. Among the study population 26.0% had fed their children with prelacteal feeds. Exclusive breast feeding up to 6 months was by only 75.0% of the mothers. Of all of them 98.6% initiated breastfeeding within the first hour of birth. Only 2.9% of them started complementary feeds at 6 months of age. It was observed that 49.3% of the children were under weight according to WHO (World Health Organization) weight for age growth charts. Conclusions: The study shows poor infant and young child feeding practices with poor nutritional status. There is need for promotion and protection of optimal feeding practices for improving nutritional status of infants.
Authors and Affiliations
Catherin Nisha, Suguna A, Surekha A, Suleka T
Keywords
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