title: Effect of intervention on promotion of exclusive breast feeding.
abstract: A community-based intervention study was conducted in a Katchi Abadi (slum area) of Karachi with the objective of improving optimal breast feeding practices, including promotion of exclusive breast feeding and giving of colostrum to newborns. Sixty-seven mothers were registered in the intervention group and 53 in the control group. Health education to promote exclusive breast feeding was provided in the form of flip-charts, videos and photographs. Sixty-six percent mothers in the control group gave prelacteals as compared to 31% in the intervention group (P < .0001). Colostrum was given by 97% mothers in the intervention group and 3% in the control group. Majority (94%) of intervention group mothers continued exclusive breast feeding till four months of age against 7% in the control group. It was concluded that health education programmes in the antenatal period as well as after birth can promote exclusive breast feeding practices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Civil Hospital, Karachi.
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Akram
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Agboatwalla
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shamshad
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology; D003126:Colostrum; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010154:Pakistan