Predictors of ante-natal care, delivery and infant feeding practices among rural women in Madhya Pradesh, India

Abstract

Background: Maternal and infant mortality rates and prevalence of under nutrition are high in the State Madhya Pradesh. Regular ante-natal check-ups (ANC), delivery by trained health personnel, delivery practices and optimal infant feeding practices are important to reduce maternal and infant mortality. Objectives: The aim was to assess antenatal care, delivery and infant feeding practices of mothers of Materials and Methods: This was community-based cross-sectional study carried out in the rural areas of Madhya Pradesh by adopting systematic random sampling procedure. Data were collected from 5324 mothers having Results and Interpretations: About 36% mothers had undergone at least three ante-natal check-ups and 73% delivered either at government or private hospitals. Only 26% mothers initiated breastfeeding within 1-h of birth and 92% fed colostrum. Step-wise regression analysis showed that ante-natal care for P Conclusions: It was observed that antenatal care, delivery and infant and young child feeding practices were associated with type of community, literacy status of mother, wealth index and person conducting delivery. Hence improving the literacy mothers, delivery by trained person and increasing awareness about optimal infant feeding practices will help to reduce infant and maternal mortality.