Knowledge and practice of Breastfeeding and its associated factors among mothers having 6-24 months of children in slum areas of Kathmandu valley

Krishna Bahadur GC; Dil Bahadur Bhandari; Kalpana Nepal; Kushalata Baral; Maginsh Dahal

Volume : VII, Issue : IV, April - 2018

Knowledge and practice of Breastfeeding and its associated factors among mothers having 6-24 months of children in slum areas of Kathmandu valley

Krishna Bahadur Gc, Dil Bahadur Bhandari, Kalpana Nepal, Kushalata Baral, Maginsh Dahal

Abstract :

Introduction:There is ample evidencethat early initiation of eastfeeding, preferably within the first hour after birth has a significant effect on reducing overall neonatal mortality.This study was carriedamong mothers living in slum areas of Kathmandu valley out to assess the Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF) status and its associated factors.

Methodology:A descriptive cross–sectional study design was used for this study. Mothers who had children between six and 24 years of age were interviewed in this study.A stratified sampling technique was used with a total sample size of 230.Chi– square and bivariate logistic regression was used to measure the strength of association among each independent and dependent variable.

Results: The EBF rate for 6–24 monthsof children in the study area was 49.1%.Mother’s education, ethnicity, father’s occupation, information about eastfeeding, place of delivery, mode of delivery, colostrums feeding within 1 hour, liquid/solid feeding practice and awareness of EBF are significantly associated with status of EBF.

Conclusion: As the association between a mother’s educational status and her likelihood of choosing EBF increases, long–termapproaches to prioritizing education for women and girls should be explored.