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
Related Articles
- EP ID EP215712
- DOI -
- Views 128
- Downloads 0
Virological discordance in patients on first line antiretroviral therapy with Immunological failure in Tambaram , India
Background: A percentage of HIV patients who fail first line ART (FLA) via immunologic (i.e. CD4 cell count) criteria may have adequate HIV suppression on viral load ( discordance) .We studied the prevalence and factors...
Knowledge Attitude and Practices about dengue among adults slum population of Chennai, India
Back ground: Dengue is one of the major public health problems and contributes to annual outbreak in India. Rapid urbanization, neglected slum area and environmental changes results in vector breeding, since dengue does...
TB NOTIFICATION THROUGH PHARMACY OUTLETS. A STUDY TO EXPLORE CURRENT STATUS AND OPPORTUNITIES AT CHENNAI.
Background: Notification of Tuberculosis (TB) is important to estimate the TB burden. It is an opportunity to support Standard TB care and undertake public health action. There by it is mandatory for all health establish...
Lecture delivery-an empirical investigation of undergraduate medical student’s perceptions and preferences
Different methods of lecture delivery for teaching are being used for medical students. The methods mainly used are blackboard (BB), transparency over head projector (TOHP) or PowerPoint (PPT) presentations. Each method...
A community based study regarding awareness of cancer among women of reproductive age group (15-49 years) in Kalaburagi district
Background Due to lack of awareness of cancer and danger signs among people, more than 70% of the cases present in advanced stage accounting to high morbidity and mortality. Objective: To study the awareness of cancer am...