Original Research Article
Year: 2016 | Month: January | Volume: 3 | Issue: 1 | Pages: 37-42
Breastfeeding Practices among Medical and Paramedical Personnel in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Delhi
Varun Kumar Singh1, Kanwaljeet Kaur Chopra2, Avanish Kumar Yadav1, Vinod Kumar3
1Medical Officer, Department of Paediatrics, ESI PGIMSR, Basaidarapur, New Delhi
2Specialist, Department of Paediatrics, ESI PGIMSR, Basaidarapur, New Delhi
3Consultant Surgeon, BR Ambedkar Multispeciality Hospital, Noida.
Corresponding Author: Varun Kumar Singh
ABSTRACT
A study was conducted to assess the breast feeding practices among medical and paramedical personnel in a tertiary care centre in Delhi. It was a cross-sectional study and was done during the 12 months period from January 2015 to December 2015 in ESI-PGIMSR, ESI-Hospital, Basaidarapur, New Delhi. Total of 80 mothers (doctors=15%, paramedical=85%) were included for study who have had one live birth. A pretested structured questionnaire was circulated, responses recorded and descriptive analysis was done. Study showed that 48.75% of mothers initiated breast feeding within 6 hrs, 85% within 12 hrs and 93.75%% of mothers could initiate by the end of 24 hours. Multipara mothers initiated breast feeding earlier as compared to primipara (p<0.05). Similarly, mothers who underwent vaginal delivery initiated breastfeed earlier as compared to LSCS mothers (p<0.05). Significant numbers of mothers (42.5%) used prelacteal feeds; however 93.75% used colostrums for their babies. Most of the mothers (71.25%) started weaning between 6-12 months of age. Duration of exclusive breast feeding was 6 months in 58.75% of mothers. Majority of mothers (68.75%) continued breast feeding beyond 12 months but only 20% were able to continue breast feeding up to or beyond 24 months. Our Study showed that although good numbers (82.5%) of mothers could start breastfeeding within 12 hrs of birth still breastfeeding practices do not seem to be appropriate as being highly selective population. This indicates further reinforcement of correct breastfeeding practices through various measures and especially during antenatal visits.
Key Words: Breast feeding, medical and Paramedical, Prelacteal feed, complementary feed.