Determinants of Complementary Feeding Practices: A Community based Study

Dr. Sunidhi Karol; Dr. Pardeep Khanna; Dr. Mohit Karol

Volume : VIII, Issue : V, May - 2019

Determinants of Complementary Feeding Practices: A Community based Study

Dr. Sunidhi Karol, Dr. Pardeep Khanna, Dr. Mohit Karol

Abstract :

Background: The transition from exclusive east-feeding to the family pot is the most critical period in an infant�s life. Inappropriate choice of complementary foods or the timing of their introduction may affect the child�s health and development. Material and Methods: a community based study was conducted in Community Development Block, Beri, District jhajjar, Haryana. In the present study 400 mothers of children aged 6-23 months were selected with multistage random sampling method and interviewed using structured questionnaire for Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) indicators (minimum dietary diversity (MDD), minimum meal frequency (MMF), and minimum acceptable diet (MAD). Data were analyzed with using SPSS-20.0, Chi-square, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression tests. Results: Findings showed that age appropriate complementary feeding, MDD, MMF and MAD were adequate in 50.7%, 47.3%, 61.7% and 40.8%, respectively. MDD and MAD was significantly associated with mothers literacy and socioeconomic status (P<0.001); MMF was significantly associated with education status of mother, socioeconomic status and age of the child (P<0.001). Conclusion: majority of mothers practiced inadequate complementary feeding below WHO recommendations. The feeding practices were found to be significantly associated with various socio- demographic factors like mothers� education status and socioeconomic status.