Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF): A Gap Analysis between Policy and Practice
Journal Title: Indian Journal of Nutrition - Year 2017, Vol 4, Issue 3
Abstract
Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices are a set of recommendations to achieve appropriate feeding of children below two years of age in order to achieve optimal nutrition outcomes in the population. This study was conducted to identify gaps between feeding practices in the community (across different geographic settings) and what is advocated in the policy. This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Salem district, Tamil Nadu, India. Data on feeding practices was obtained from mothers having children aged 12-23 months. Purposive sampling was done and 332 respondents participated in the study (110 from rural and tribal areas each and 112 from urban slums). A semi-structured interview schedule was used for data collection. Feeding practices were assessed based on the eight core indicators given by UNICEF in the IYCF policy. Prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding was dismally lower in the mothers from the urban slum areas, whereas, complementary feeding practices were compromised in the mothers from the tribal areas. With respect to most feeding practices, the mothers in the rural areas were closest to following as per what is advocated in the policy. These gaps between practices advocated in the policy to those followed in the community need to be addressed soon.
Authors and Affiliations
Pujitha Sriram Padmanabhan
Keywords
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