Kashif Shahnawaz

A STUDY ON THE USE OF COMMERCIAL FEEDING FORMULA AMONGST URBAN CHILDREN: A STUDY FROM KATIHAR DISTRICT OF BIHAR

INTRODUCTION: Breast feeding is the best way to feed infant and therefore, every effort should be made to promote and protect this salutary traditional practice everywhere. Commercial Feeding Formula (CFF) is liquid or reconstituted powder fed to infants and growing children. They sometimes serve as substitute for human milk. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of our study are to assess the prevalence of the use of CFF among mothers having 6 weeks to 6 months aged children, and to study some factors associated with CFF use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A crosssectional study was conducted between Dec-2014 to Feb-2015, using a pre-designed, pre-structured questionnaire. A total of 145 mothers having children between 6 weeks to 36 months of age were selected for the study. Interview was done using pre-designed questionnaire. Information regarding the use of CFF with special emphasis on reconstitution of formula food and sterilisation process was obtained. Data, thus collected was compiled and analysed by us. RESULTS: In our study, CFF was used by 59.3% of total study subjects. 49.2% of the mothers were using it for under 6 month’s children. Maximum 76.6% of the children were between 13-24 months of age. CFF was used by mothers of better education group (80%). Mothers belonging to upper and middle socio-economic strata were more users of CFF, i.e 100% & 65% respectively, but CFF was also used by maximum proportion of 59.5% by upper lower socio-economic strata. It was also observed in our study that 46.6% of the mothers were diluting the feeding formula improperly and 32.6% unhygienically. Majority of the CFF users were using it as per advice of their relatives and friends (51.1%). CONCLUSION: Human breast milk is the best source of nourishment for human infants. Improper reconstitution of CFF is a significant factor affecting nutritional status of children. Generating proper awareness about CFF is must.