Determinants of Health Seeking Behaviours among Tribal Mothers having LBW Babies in a Rural District of Assam

Abstract

Background: Health seeking behaviour of mothers plays an important part in the well-being of low birth weight (LBW) babies. Infant mortality is very high in Assam and care seeking behaviours of mothers influence the health outcomes of infants. Objective: This study was attempted with the objective of assessing the prevailing care seeking behaviours among mothers from tribal community for their LBW babies during their first year of life. Materials & Methods: A cross section study was conducted among 112 tribal mothers of LBW babies in a rural block of Kamrup district of Assam. A predesigned pretested questionnaire was used to collect data among mothers of LBW babies after obtaining informed consent, regarding socio-demographic characteristics of mothers, feeding and care practices for LBW babies, knowledge on special care to LBW babies, health seeking behaviours of mothers. Collected data compiled, tabulated and analysed using appropriate software. Results: Our study found that 87.5% of mothers could recognize LBW condition. Most of them (84.8%) understood the need for special care to their LBW babies. Exclusive breastfeeding, good nutrition to mother and baby, Kangaroo Mother Care, delayed bathing were some of the special care practices adopted by our study population. In our study 30% mothers were found to be practising KMC. Conclusion: On analysis of determinants of health seeking behaviours we found that adequate exposure of mothers to mass media was significantly associated with appropriate health seeking behaviours. Keywords: Health seeking behaviours, Low birth weight, Tribal mothers, Breastfeeding, Kangaroo mother care