Impact Of Breast Feeding and Weaning Practices Associated with Morbidity in Rural Area Of Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India: A Community Based Longitudinal Study

Abstract

Introduction: Every day, on an average more than 26000 children under the age of five die around the world. Malnutrition contributes to more than half of these deaths. Malnourished children often suffer the loss of precious mental capacities. They fall ill more often. If they survive, they may grow up with lasting mental or physical disabili- ties. Methods: The study was divided in to two phases, one month for socio-demographic survey and 6month for follow up for morbidity. Before data collection, eligible mothers were given explanations con- cerning the study and, upon verbal consent to participate. Results: Among infants whose growth was monitored for the previ- ous three months, majority (73.1%) had good weight gain while a low proportion (0.6%) had lost weight. About one quarter (26.3%) of the infants had no change in weight. The study findings showed that almost two-thirds (63.8%) of infants who were exclusively breastfed had good weight gain and only 1 (0.6%) was found to have lost weight. Conclusion: There is no relation found between, exclusive breast- feeding practices and wasting, underweight but related with growth and stunting among the study infants.

Keywords

• Breast feeding
• weaning practices
• Morbidity
• Ghaziabad