Cross sectional study of knowledge and practices regarding breast feeding amongst mothers belonging to tribal community in Melghat area, Amravati, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

Background: Delayed breastfeeding initiation, colostrum deprivation, supplementary feeding of breast milk substitutes, early introduction of complementary feeding, and incorrect weaning from breast milk are commonly found practices in tribal communities around the world. Aim of the study was to assess the breast-feeding knowledge and practices among mothers belonging to tribal community and having children less than 1 years of age in Melghat area, Maharashtra, India.Methods: Present cross-sectional study was conducted in 14 villages of 4 sub centres of Bijudhawadi, Primary Health Centre in Dharni block of Amravati District, Maharashtra, India. Mothers belonging to tribal community having child less than one year and Mothers who were permanent residents of study area were included in study. Interview was planned as per the convenient time of the mother. Finally, 225 study subjects could be contacted during study period.Results: The mean age of mothers was 22.47 years with SD 3.24 years with range 16 - 35 years. Majority 178 (79.11%) study subjects were having correct knowledge about initiation of breastfeeding. Correct practice of initiation of breastfeeding within 1 hour was seen in 167 (74.22%) study subjects. Significant difference was seen among correct knowledge and practice Colostrum initiation, Pre-lacteals, Period of exclusive breastfeeding.Conclusions: The present study was an attempt to understand knowledge and practices regarding breastfeeding in the context of tribal mothers in Melghat, Maharashtra, India.

Infant and young child feeding practices among tribal mothers in Sambalpur district, Odisha, India

“…It is much higher than the findings of Khan et al where it was 35% and Chavan et al where it was 36.45%. 13,9 This may be due to difference in cultural beliefs among the mothers in these studies as they were conducted in Karnataka and Maharashtra respectively. The 'Continued Breastfeeding at 1-year' indicator was 100%.…”

“…5,3 Similar findings were reported by different authors wherein the value ranged from 81% to 88%. [6][7][8][9][10] This may be explained by the inclusion of tribal or backward class populations in these studies. It was much higher in studies conducted by Nisha et al where it was 98.6% and Madhu et al where it was 97%.…”

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“…This is a significant omission; acute malnutrition is very prevalent with high rates of death and morbidity that need specific treatment and preventive measures [10]. Maternal low knowledge, negative attitudes, low self-efficacy, and cultural influences and taboos all have a significant impact on mothers' infant-feeding practices and their children's eating patterns [11]. Studies conducted in different parts of the world, such as in Brazil, revealed that knowledge, culture, self-efficacy, and beliefs are strong predictors of IYCFP [12].…”

Effectiveness of a positive deviant intervention to improve appropriate feeding practices and nutritional outcomes in West Omo Zone, Maji District: South West Region, Ethiopia: A study protocol for a cluster randomized control trial

“…Every day, between 3000 and 4000 infants die in poor countries as a result of diarrhea and severe respiratory infections caused by a lack of breast milk. In Ghana, only around 12.0% of young children are fed with infant feeding bottles [9,10]. While undernutrition (low weight for age) is widely recognized, the relevance of acute malnutrition is rarely, if ever, emphasized.…”