Socio-demographic correlates of breast-feeding in urban slums of Chandigarh.
OBJECTIVE
Whether socio-demographic factors are associated with initiation of breast-feeding in urban slums of Chandigarh.


OBJECTIVE
(1) To study the prevailing breast-feeding practices adopted by mothers, (2) To study the socio-demographic factors associated with initiation of breast-feeding.


METHODS
Cross-sectional.


METHODS
Mothers of infants willing to participate in the study in the selected area.


METHODS
A total of 270 respondents.


METHODS
Social and demographic characteristics like age, socioeconomic status, educational level, birth interval, parity, gender preference, natal care practices, etc.; and variables related to various aspects of breast-feeding practices like prelacteal feed, initiation of feeding, colostrum feeding, reasons of discarding colostrum, etc.


METHODS
Chi-square test and odd ratios along with their respective 95% confidence intervals, multiple logistic regression analysis.


RESULTS
Out of all 270 respondents, 159 (58.9%) initiated breast-feeding within 6 h of birth, only 43 (15.9%) discarded colostrum and 108 (40.0%) mothers gave prelacteal feed. Illiterate/just literate mothers who delivered at home were found at significantly higher risk of delay in initiation of breast-feeding on the basis of multiple logistic regression analysis.


METHODS
Promotion of institutional deliveries and imparting health education to mothers for protecting and promoting optimal breast-feeding practices are suggested.
Kumar
Dinesh
D
Department of Community Medicine, Govt. Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh, India.
Agarwal
Neeraj
N
Swami
H M
HM
D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D003126:Colostrum; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003469:Culture; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007223:Infant; D007224:Infant Care; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011204:Poverty Areas; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014505:Urban Population