Abstract :
Background: Appropriate feeding practices are of primary importance for the survival, growth,
development, and nutrition of infants and children. The most important factor that affects growth of various
organs of child is the nutrition. Breastfeeding is the primary source to provide nutrition in all newborns.
Objective: The objective of the study is to compare the breastfeeding practices of children in Rural and
Urban setting and to find out the relation between breastfeeding Practices and Nutritional status of children.
Materials and Methods: A community based study was conducted in the field practice areas of a tertiary
care hospital. Multistage Random sampling technique was used for the selection of study subjects. A total of
117 under five children were studied equally from rural and urban area. A predesigned Pretested Performa
was used to assess the Breast feeding practices. Stunting and underweight were used to proxy the child
nutrition status. Data was evaluated on SPSS version 17.Chi-square test was used to compare the feeding
practices & to find out their association with nutritional status in the two areas.
Results: Breastfeeding practices of Urban children was found to be better than Rural children. Under
nutrition was found in children who initiated breastfeeding after 3days, took prelacteal feeds, discarded
colostrum, & who were not on Exclusive breastfeeding in both the areas.
Conclusion: Breastfeeding practices were though poor in both areas but most of the parameters were still
better in urban areas. Breast feeding practices was found to be significant predictor for under nutrition.
Keyword :
Nutritional status, Breastfeeding practices, Rural, Urban.