Effect of maternal status and breastfeeding practices on infant nutritional status - a cross sectional study in the south-west region of Bangladesh.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to address the current scenario of LBW and infant nutritional and to analyze the effect of maternal status and pattern of their breast feeding practices on perinatal and postnatal infant development.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study design with structured questionnaires was used among 510 mother-infant pair to collect data. Maternal anthropometric, socio-economic and demographic characteristics and breast feeding practice were used as independent variable and birth weight and infant growth status as dependent variable. Descriptive and crosstab analysis were used to analyze the effect.


RESULTS
The study revealed that about 29.4% infants were born with low birth weight (LBW). Mother with no education and from low income family were more likely (OR: 3.484, 95%CI: 1.993-6.089 and OR: 2.078, 95% CI: 1.274-3.387) to have LBW infant compared with mother with higher education and from higher income family. Similarly, lower maternal height, weight and MUAC (< 150 cm, <50 kg and < 22 cm respectively) were shown to have more risk of having LBW compared with higher height, weight and MUAC (RR: 1.628, 2.375 and 2.115; 95%CI: 1.250- 2.120, 1.844- 3.059, 1.623- 2.757). The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding was found among 45% mother. Postnatal growth and development of infant was not found significantly different (P > 0.05) among those who breast feed exclusively and non-exclusively.


CONCLUSIONS
The study confirms that lower level of maternal education; family income and anthropometric measurement significantly increase the risk of LBW. The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding practice was not found satisfactory.
Dept of Applied Nutrition and Food Technology, Islamic University, Kushtia-7003, Bangladesh.
Mohidul
M
Islam
Dept of Applied Nutrition and Food Technology, Islamic University, Kushtia-7003, Bangladesh.
Shahinur
S
Rahman
Dept of Applied Nutrition and Food Technology, Islamic University, Kushtia-7003, Bangladesh.
Kamruzzaman
Dept of Applied Nutrition and Food Technology, Islamic University, Kushtia-7003, Bangladesh.
Mominul
M
Islam
Dept of Applied Nutrition and Food Technology, Islamic University, Kushtia-7003, Bangladesh.
Abdus
A
Samad
D000328:Adult; D001459:Bangladesh / Q000453:epidemiology; D001724:Birth Weight; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D039382:Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D009035:Mothers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009752:Nutritional Status
Breast feeding; Low birth weight; infant growth; maternal anthropometry; maternal socio-demography