Abstract
The present cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at the paediatric OPD of a government and a private clinic to assess the indicators of Infant-and Young Child-feeding (IYCF) practices and compare them among lower middle and upper middle socioeconomic groups. The study enrolled 200 mother-child pairs with children aged 18-36 months, classified using Modified Kuppuswamy scale into Lower Middle Socioeconomic Group (LMSEG) (score: 11-15) and Upper Middle Socioeconomic Group (UMSEG) (score:16-25). IYCF indicators formed the basis of the questionnaire used to interview the mothers. This calculated the children’s dietary diversity score, meal frequency and IYCF index. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software (version 16.0) to determine the effect on socio-economic status on IYCF practices. P-value <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Only 52.5% (n=105) infant were exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life with significant difference between the two socioeconomic strata, with 64% (n=64) from LMSEG and 41% (n=41) from UMSEG (p=0.01). 67% (n=67) infants from LMSEG received breast milk till two years in contrast to 44% (n=44) infants from UMSEG (p=0.01). However, a higher frequency of food intake (p=0.03) and higher minimum dietary diversity score (p=0.012) was observed among UMSEG as compared to LMSEG. UMSEG mothers had greater prevalence of using bottles to feed their children as compared to LMSEG (n=51 vs n=27). Besides, it was found that educational qualification of the mothers had a positive impact on IYCF practices (p=0.015) but the mother’s employment or the child’s birth order had no significant effect. IYCF practices differed significantly among the two socioeconomic groups. LMSEG have better qualitative practices and UMSEG showed better quantitative factors. Health education as well as digital media may serve as important intervention programs to spread awareness to protect, promote and sustain optimal IYCF practices in Indian context.
Highlights
An appropriate diet is critical in the growth and development of children, especially in the first two years of life [1]
The World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) have articulated a global strategy for infant- and young child-feeding which recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life with early initiation and continuation of breastfeeding for two years or more together with nutritionally-adequate, safe, age-appropriate complementary feeding starting at six months [2]
With the help of Kuppuswamy scale, mother-children pairs were classified into Lower Middle Socioeconomic Group (LMSEG) and Upper Middle Socioeconomic Group (UMSEG) of 100 pairs each using purposive sampling
Summary
An appropriate diet is critical in the growth and development of children, especially in the first two years of life [1]. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) have articulated a global strategy for infant- and young child-feeding which recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life with early initiation and continuation of breastfeeding for two years or more together with nutritionally-adequate, safe, age-appropriate complementary feeding starting at six months [2]. These optimal infant- and young child-feeding (IYCF) practices are crucial for nutritional status, growth, development, health, and the survival of infants and young children [3, 4]. The study aimed to assess and quantify the IYCF practices for children enrolled in the study
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