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Article type :

Original Article

Author :

Mahishma K, Anil Kumar K

Volume :

8

Issue :

2

Abstract :

Introduction: Infant feeding practices are critical determinants of survival, growth and development during infancy. Breast feeding is required for child survival, birth spacing and prevention of childhood infections. Introduction: Complementary feeding is essential from six months of age while continuing breast feeding to meet the needs of the growing baby. Objective: To study the existing practices of complementary feeding and assess the knowledge and practice gap. Study design: Hospital based, cross-sectional, descriptive study. Setting: In a tertiary care teaching hospital of rural Telangana. Total 140 mothers with children in the age group of 6-23 months of age. Materials and Methods: Participants were randomly selected after informed consent. Data regarding currently following complementary feeding practices was collected in the predesigned, semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed. Only 56.4% of mothers in the current study initiated feeds at recommended time. Demand feeding was practiced by only 53%. A detailed analysis on the practice of clean feeding methods showed only 37.1% followed cleaning of hands before feeding. Only 28.6% have gained knowledge on infant feeding practices from a qualified person. A majoirty of them followed cultural practices (23.6%) and advices from friends and relatives (40%). Thus, Information, Health education and Communication activities are required to improve breast feeding and weaning practices especially among the low-socio-economic and rural groups. Conclusions: A detailed analysis on the practice of clean feeding methods showed only 37.1% followed cleaning of hands before feeding. Since good complimentary feeding practices helps in the overall growth and development of child, there should be renewed focus on public health education regarding this in the form of advisory to new parents while discharge from the hospital, regular advisories from community health care workers in the rural areas to the parents.