Pmp Singh1, R Bhalwar2. 1. Professor and Head (Community Medicine & PSM), Armed Forces Medical College, Pune-411040. 2. DADH, HQ 21 Mountain Division, C/o 99 APO.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There seems to be a gap in the available literature and scientific knowledge about breast-feeding practices among families of armed forces personnel in our country, which needs to be studied. METHODS: A cross sectional epidemiological study design was undertaken on a randomly selected sample of 175 families of armed forces personnel staying in a large cantonment and having at least one child in the age group of 3-24 months. RESULT: The study observed positive association between various breast feeding practices such as feeding colostrum, demand/scheduled feeding, exclusive breast feeding for 4-6 months, partial breast feeding for 6 - 18 months and various sociodemographic variables such as age, religion, socio-economic status of mother (military rank of husband), parity and place of residence of the mother (where childhood was spent). CONCLUSION: Higher proportion of mothers feeding colostrum was observed because of better educational status of mothers and organized health education activities available to the families of armed forces personnel. Majority (89.14%) gave demand feed and only 10.86% gave scheduled feed. On the other hand a relatively smaller percentage (47.43% and 29.32%) followed the correct practice about duration of exclusive and partial breast-feeding respectively.
BACKGROUND: There seems to be a gap in the available literature and scientific knowledge about breast-feeding practices among families of armed forces personnel in our country, which needs to be studied. METHODS: A cross sectional epidemiological study design was undertaken on a randomly selected sample of 175 families of armed forces personnel staying in a large cantonment and having at least one child in the age group of 3-24 months. RESULT: The study observed positive association between various breast feeding practices such as feeding colostrum, demand/scheduled feeding, exclusive breast feeding for 4-6 months, partial breast feeding for 6 - 18 months and various sociodemographic variables such as age, religion, socio-economic status of mother (military rank of husband), parity and place of residence of the mother (where childhood was spent). CONCLUSION: Higher proportion of mothers feeding colostrum was observed because of better educational status of mothers and organized health education activities available to the families of armed forces personnel. Majority (89.14%) gave demand feed and only 10.86% gave scheduled feed. On the other hand a relatively smaller percentage (47.43% and 29.32%) followed the correct practice about duration of exclusive and partial breast-feeding respectively.
Entities:
Keywords:
Breast feeding; Colostrum; Demand/Scheduled feeding