c:\Sanjay Joshi\book\Indian Journal of Community Medicine 5c.
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Indian Journal of Community Medicine Vol. 30, No. 4, October-December, 2005
Breast Feeding Practices in a Rural ICDS Block of Khallikote, South Orissa
The study to assess breast feeding practices constituted 383
infants, of them 152 were in the age group of 0-6 months and
231 between 6 months to 1-year age. Maximum number of
mothers (51.4%) received antenatal care from health worker
(Female), followed by 19.8% by Health Assistant (Female)
and trained Dais (6.6%). 11.8% mothers did not receive
antenatal care.
The main source of knowledge regarding exclusive breast
feeding came from anganwadi workers (16.8%), followed by
health workers (Female) (12.55%), trained Dais (3.67%),
Medical Officers (4.69%) and Mass Media (2.36%). 37.18%
did not have any knowledge of Exclusive Breast Feeding
(EBF).
The main cause of non-exclusive Breast Feeding was
inadequate or no milk secretion (69.3%). The other reasons
were child’s health (9.3%) and mother’s health (3.6%). Some
of the mother’s were unaware of the benefits of EBF (4.5%)
and hence did not practise it. Boiled water (58.6%) was the
main feed given along with breast feeding. This was followed
by Water & Honey (11.7%), Animal Milk (19.9%) and Powdered
milk (9.6%).
The time of initiation of breast-feeding after the birth of the
baby was more between 24-48 hrs in (41.51%) followed by
those initiating between 12-24 hrs (18.54%). Most (86.4%)
babies were given some or the other prelacteal feeds (boiled
water, misri added boiled water, Honey). The type of inaugural
feeds given by the mothers revealed that more number of
mothers preferred giving boiled water to the infant, accounting
Child Rearing Practices of Mothers in Rural Gujarat
This community based cross sectional study was conducted
in the rural field practice area of the Pramukhswami Medical
College’ Department of Community Medicine.
Out of the total 630 families, 145 families were found to be
having children in the age group of 1-5 years. 130 families
could be contacted.
Responsiveness to child’s request for food by providing it
without making child wait was seen in 76.9 percent mohters,
whereas non-compliance to child’s any time demand for food
was more common in nuclear families (30%). 17.91 percent
mothers resorted to coercive action i.e. scolding & beating
when the child messed up with food while eating and almost
equal number preferred reproof alone as a corrective measure
in the event of bed wetting. Three fourth of mothers pereferred
154
for 37.60%. Honey and boiled water in 10.97% and cows milk
and goats milk in 9.1%.
There was no significant difference as per the literacy status
and knowledge regarding colostrum. The literacy status of
the mother had no significant relationship with the pattern of
breast-feeding adopted by the mothers.
It was seen that there was no significant difference as regards
parity of the mother with respect to exclusive breast-feeding.
The mothers with a higher socio-economic status who
exclusively breast-fed their child for the stipulated time were
less in number (9.62%) as compared to mothers with a low
socio-economic status (65.38%) and this was found to be
highly significant. Maximum mothers (42.9%) exclusively
breast-fed their child for 1-2 months. Only 8.6% mothers
continued with EBF for the scheduled 4-6 months. Majority of
the lactating women (82.2%) were aged 18-35 years. Majority
of the mothers had a domiciliary delivery (94.5%).
The source of knowledge regarding exclusive breast-feeding
showed 37.18% of mothers were not aware at all. 28.71%
stated it to be from Anganwadi worker & health worker (F).
The main reason put forth by mothers for not giving an
exclusive breast-feeding was inadequate milk or no milk
secretion (69.3%).
Suvra Pathi, B.C. Das
Deptt. of Community Medicine,
M.K.C.G. Medical College,
Berhampur, Orissa
affectionate gradual correction of behavioural problems of
children. Recognizing and rewarding appropriate behaviour and
dispproval of unacceptable behaviour help children learn from
the results of their own behaviour. Allowing the child to play
and expore near home indicates mothers concern for safety
as well as provision of play opportunity. In this study mothers
were significantly more biased against female children. More
female children were encouraged to play at home and their
freedom was jeopardised (68.8% Vs 85.5%).
Naughty behaviour of child was dealt with punishing physically
by more than 75 percent mothers.
Dr. S.K. Choudhary
Dr. S.L. Thomas
Dr. Sunil Kumar
Breast Feeding Practices, Child Rearing Practices