Volume : VI, Issue : VI, June - 2016

Factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding practices among mothers in Tripura

Dr. C. M Chhajer, Dr. Tapan Kumar Das

Abstract :

 Background: Exclusive eastfeeding is defined as feeding infants only east milk, be it directly from east or expressed, with no addition of any liquid or solids apart from vitamins and mineral supplements or medicine. However, a large portion of infants are not exclusively eastfed according to the infant feeding recommendations. This study was carried out to identify factors predicting exclusive eastfeeding among mothers admitted in Tripura Medial College & Dr BRAM Teaching Hospital, Hapania, Tripura. Methods: A community–based cross–sectional study was conducted from 15 / 01 / 2015 to 15 /03 / 2015 involving both quantitative and qualitative data. A total of 500 mothers were selected randomly. A convenience sampling technique was used to generate the qualitative data. The qualitative data were analyzed using thematic frameworks. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of exclusive eastfeeding after controlling for background variables. Results: The prevalence of exclusive eastfeeding in the last 24 hours preceding the survey was 71.3%. The median duration of exclusive eastfeeding was three months and mean frequency of eastfeeding was six times per day. Being unemployed and age of infants of less than two months were independently associated with exclusive eastfeeding. Conclusions: A large proportion of infants are not exclusively eastfed during the first 6 months, despite the national and global infant and young child feeding (IYCF) guidelines. Employed mothers were less likely to practice exclusive eastfeeding, Extensions of maternity leave up to the first six month of child’s age to achieve optimal level of exclusive eastfeeding practices should also be looked into as an alternative solution

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Article: Download PDF   DOI : 10.36106/ijar  

Cite This Article:

Dr. C.M Chhajer, Dr. Tapan Kumar Das Factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding practices among mothers in Tripura Indian Journal of Applied Research, Vol.6, Issue : 6 JUNE 2016

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