Abstract
Optimum is. Adequate Infant and young child feeding (IYCF), critical for child’s growth and development, requires a significant amount of time andcan be challenging for working mothers. In Bangladesh, about four million women work long-hours in Readymade Garment (RMG) factories without proper maternity benefits which raises concern regarding optimum IYCF practice. We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study in Dhaka, Bangladesh to identify the knowledge and common practices of IYCF among mothers working in Readymade Garment sector. Ninety-three women of reproductive age (15-49 years), working in Readymade Garment sector, with children aged 6-23 months, were interviewed. Our study revealed- majority knew about exclusive breast feeding (EBF) (76%), duration to continue breast feeding (73%) and early initiation of breast feeding (53%). The exclusive breast-feeding practice in mothers employed in RMG sector was 44%. Three-fourths of the mothers knew and initiated complementary feeding timely. Both knowledge regarding age-adjusted minimum meal frequency (MMF) (19.4%) and minimum quantity (8.6%) were low; compared to actual practices. Nearly two-fifth of the mothers (40%) had to start working before their child reached six months of age enabling them to provide their baby with breastmilk substitutes. Mothers employed in Readymade Garment sector had better IYCF practice than general population. Proper workplace environment with mandatory breast-feeding corners, daycare facilities and ensuring maternity benefits in these mothers could help achieve an even better IYCF practices for their children.
Highlights
Introduction Optimum isAdequate Infant and young child feeding (IYCF), critical for child’s growth and development, requires a significant amount of time andcan be challenging for working mothers
A preliminary document review of existing garment factoriesin the city was conducted with information support from Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and 19 factories were selected based on their volume of female workers, geographical location and accessibility and willingness to participate in the study
This study revealed that breastfeeding knowledge and practices were better than complementary feeding knowledge and practices except exclusive breastfeeding practices among the mothers working in Readymade Garment (RMG) sector
Summary
Introduction Optimum isAdequate Infant and young child feeding (IYCF), critical for child’s growth and development, requires a significant amount of time andcan be challenging for working mothers. Appropriate infant and young child feeding (IYCF) is critical for growth, and development, and for early prevention of chronic degenerative diseases.[1,2,3,4] Children under two years are at risk of nutritional deficiency and growth retardation due to inadequate breast feeding and poor complementary feeding practices.[1,2,3,4] United Nations Standing Committee on Nutrition estimated that exclusive breast feeding (EBF) for the first six months of life could reduce infant deaths by 13% and adequate nutritious complementary feeding could reduce all under five deaths by 6%.5. In Bangladesh, the number of working women increased from 1.5 million in 2004 to 4 million in recent years with approximately 40-50% married working mothers; majority working in Readymade Garment (RMG) sectors.[17,18,19] RMG workers with inadequate or lack of on-site feeding locations, short maternity leaves and long working hours may not have the optimum environment for adequate IYCF.[20,21,22]
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