International journal of scientific research | 2021
“PATTERN AND DETERMINANTS OF COMPLEMENTARY FEEDING PRACTICES AMONG 6-24 MONTHS CHILDREN OF RURAL INDIA”
Abstract
Background and objectives: Complementary feeding (CF) means introducing other foods when breast milk alone is not enough to meet the nutritional requirements of infants. WHO recommends starting complementary feeding after 6 months of age while continuing breast feeding up to 2 years of age for continued benefits. WHO also emphasizes on diet diversity to ensure a heterogeneous nutrient intake that provides all nutrients needed by the growing infant. In context of rural India, in-depth studies of complementary feeding practices are limited, revealing a clear knowledge gap. The present study was undertaken to assess the complementary feeding practices and factors influencing them among mothers of 6-24 months children.\nMethodology: This hospital based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted over 2 years from April 2018-March 2020 including children aged >6 months and <24 months belonging to rural area visiting OPD or admitted in I.P.D of our hospital. Data was collected by direct interviewing of mothers regarding various aspects of breastfeeding and complementary feeding. \nResults: Over the study period, we enrolled 226 children in our study. Mean age was 9.7 months (SD 3.4months). Male: female ratio was 1.3:1. Mean age of mothers was 24.1\u2009±\u20094.2\u2009years. Breastfeeding was initiated within 1 hour of birth in only 118(52.2%) babies. Complementary feeds were started at the end of 6 months in dismally low 21.2% children. It was started between 6-9 months in 38.5%, 9-12 months in 25.7% and after 12 months in 7.5% children. Proportion of infants getting minimal meal frequency was 59.3%, minimum dietary diversity only 45.6% and minimum acceptable diet only 47.8%%. The most commonly used complementary food was milk and milk & cereal based preparations (61.5%). There was a statistically significant positive association between socioeconomic class and correct time of initiating CF as well as maternal education and minimum acceptable diet (p <0.01). However, a significant negative association was found between working mother and proper consistency of feeds (p<0.01). \nConclusion: Our findings clearly indicate that lot more needs to be done for rural children. Whenever there is opportunity for health care workers, mothers should be educated about proper complementary feeding practices.