A Study on Complementary Feeding Among Mother and Child In ‘Danapur’ Block Patna

Authors

  • Mridul Mishra Department of Social Work Patna Women‘s College (Autonomous)

Keywords:

knowledge, Attitude, Feeding practices, Complementary feeding

Abstract

Complementary feeding is a procedure that begins when breast milk alone is insufficient to meet an infant's nutritional needs and additional foods and liquids are required in addition to breast milk. The objective of this study is to discuss the complementary feeding practices in India, determinants in fencing it and strategies for improving it.The objective of the study was to determine the respondents' socio-demographic and economic profiles, as well as to analyse mothers' knowledge and attitudes towards complementary feeding practices. Method: A cross sectional study was conducted in Danapur, Patna, Data was collected with the help of semi structured interview schedule and interview. Total of 200 respondents were surveyed and information was collected regardingsocio demographic and economic profile, knowledge and attitude of mothers on complementary feeding practices using purposive sampling method. Results: Most of the respondents (60%) were in the age
group of 20-25 yrs. More than half (72%) of the respondents belonged to lower socio-economic class. This study found that the level of knowledge of mothers on child feeding was slightly higher in those living in urban area than in rural area. The source of knowledge for maximum (67%) respondents being family. However, it was observed that the majority ofmothers were more aware about complementary feeding practices .Mothers in the urban area had moregood practicesas compared to those of rural area. Maximum mothers (83%) preferred preparing separate complementary food for children. Conclusions: The study discovered that mothers understanding of infant feeding was marginally higher in the urban region than in the rural area. However, it was
observed that the majority of mothers were more aware about complementary feeding practices Mothers, Fathers, and healthcare providers who attended the FGD sessions were familiar with the guidelines and recommendations for child feeding. It was observed that young mothers (25-34 years old) were having higher knowledge on complementary feeding practices. When compared to the rural area, metropolitan mothers had better practice. When compared to knowledge level, single and composite practices performed reasonably well. Having children between the ages of six and eight months was associated with better practice than having older children. Thus, poor knowledge may influence the complementary feeding practices by mothers.

Published

2024-07-06

How to Cite

Mishra, M. (2024). A Study on Complementary Feeding Among Mother and Child In ‘Danapur’ Block Patna. QUEST - A Peer Reviewed Research Journal, 2(1), 94–103. Retrieved from https://questjournal.in/index.php/quest/article/view/31

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Section

Articles