Prelacteal feeding practice and associated factors among mothers attending immunization clinic in Tripura medical college & Dr BRAM teaching hospital, Hispania, Tripura

Dr. C M Chhajer; Dr. Tapan Kumar Das

Volume : V, Issue : VI, June - 2016

Prelacteal feeding practice and associated factors among mothers attending immunization clinic in Tripura medical college & Dr BRAM teaching hospital, Hispania, Tripura

Dr. C M Chhajer, Dr. Tapan Kumar Das

Abstract :

 Background: Breast feeding will have the intended outcome when it is initiated timely and exclusive for the first six months. Introducing prelacteal feeding and inadequate amount of east milk contributes to over a million avoidable infant deaths each year in developing countries. The purpose of this study was to assess prelacteal feeding practice and associated factors among mothers attending immunization clinic in Tripura medical college & Dr BRAM Teaching Hospital. Methods: An institutional based cross–sectional study design was conducted among 500 mothers and infants attending ten public health facilities. Systematic random sampling method was used to select the study participants. An exit interview using pretested structured questionnaire was conducted about their experience on prelacteal feeding. Logistic regressions with OR and 95% confidence interval were computed. Result: One hundred and ninety one mothers gave prelacteal liquids to their infants. The common pre–lacteal foods include sugar or glucose water 121 (43.5%) followed by milk other than east milk 70 (25.1). Conclusion: The prevalence of prelacteal feeding was relatively high in the area. Failure to attend ANC, giving birth at home, late initiation of east feeding and influence of friends and relatives to give prelacteal feeds for their new born infants were found to be positively associated with prelacteal feeding