Complementary feeding practices in rural areas of Telangana: A hospital based, cross-sectional, descriptive study
Abstract
Background: Introduction of semi solid/solid food i.e., complementary feeding time is very vulnerable period during infancy. To prevent malnutrition knowledge of optimal feeding practices is essential for mothers.
Objective: To study currently existing complementary feeding practices 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. Participants: Total 220 mothers with children in the age group of 6-23 months of age.
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.
Results: Only 40.9% of mothers initiated complementary feeding at the recommended age. Although age appropriate quantity of food was received by 66.4% of subjects only 25.5% subjects were receiving at recommended frequency. 77.7% of mothers were giving home made preparations. Diversity of feeds was observed in 23% of children.
Conclusions: As there is increasing evidence for the positive impact of feeding counseling on energy and nutrient intake and growth in children of less than two years, changes in individual’s behavior, supplemental interventions will be needed. Effective nutrition actions do exist but should be implemented on a sufficiently large scale to reduce the burden of malnutrition.
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Copyright (c) 2016 Author (s). Published by Siddharth Health Research and Social Welfare Society
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