Abstract
Introduction: Proper infant and young child feeding practices are essential for the prevention of childhood morbidity and mortality. NFHS-4 reported that about half of the children in Bihar are not receiving complementary foods timely. The present study was conducted to assess the factors affecting the complementary feeding of infants and young children. Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted upon mothers/ caretakers of 400 children age 6-24 months. Sociodemographic details and complementary feeding practices were noted. Results: The mean age of initiation of complementary feeding was 5.2 months. Cereals were the most common complementary food given while only 19% of children received food from all the food groups. Half of the children (50.8%) were given food of appropriate consistency and 41% were given the proper amount. 53.8% were given marketed foods. A significant association was seen between ideal practices and type of family (p=0.002), mother’s education (p=0.000), socioeconomic status (p=0.000) and IYCF related advice given during immunization sessions (p=0.000). Conclusion: Appropriate feeding practice is very low and effort should be made to increase the appropriate feeding practices.
Highlights
Proper infant and young child feeding practices are essential for the prevention of childhood morbidity and mortality
Cereals were the most common complementary food given while only 19% of children received food from all the food groups
A significant association was seen between ideal practices and type of family (p=0.002), mother’s education (p=0.000), socioeconomic status (p=0.000) and IYCF related advice given during immunization sessions (p=0.000)
Summary
Proper infant and young child feeding practices are essential for the prevention of childhood morbidity and mortality. NFHS-4 reported that about half of the children in Bihar are not receiving complementary foods timely. The present study was conducted to assess the factors affecting the complementary feeding of infants and young children. Inclusion criteria: Children aged 6 months to 24 months attending the OPD of Primary Health Centre, Kalyanpur were included in the present study. (IYCF) practices recommend exclusive breastfeeding up to the age of six months; timely initiation of feeding solid, semisolid foods after six months onwards. It recommends feeding small amounts, increasing the number of foods and frequency of feeding as the child gets older while maintaining breastfeeding as demanded by the child.
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