BREASTFEEDING AND CONTRACEPTIVE PRACTICES AMONG MOTHERS ATTENDING UNDER 5 CLINIC OF A GOVERNMENT TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL, KARNATAKA

INTRODUCTION: Breast feeding and contraception are important determinants of child mortality and morbidity. These practices vary in different communities due to different socio-cultural factors. Breast feeding practices influences health of the child and incidence of infections. OBJECTIVES: 1. To determine the socio demographic characteristics among mothers attending under 5 clinic. 2. To determine the breast feeding practices among mothers. 3. To determine the association between ARI and ADD with breastfeeding. 4. To determine the contraceptive practices among the mother. METHODOLOGY: This Cross-sectional study was conducted at a government tertiary care teaching hospital, Karnataka for a period of 6 months. The data was collected from the mothers by using a pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire in the local language (Kannada). RESULTS: Of the total 2932 mothers, 46.1% mothers had breast-fed their babies within one hour of delivery, 9.2% had given pre-lacteal feeds and colostrum was not fed to 7.9% of the babies. The difference in the incidence of ARI and ADD between the children who were exclusively breastfeed and the children who were not exclusively breastfed was significant. Contraception was practices by 10.8% of the mothers. CONCLUSION: The immunization clinic offers an opportunity to enquire the mother about the breast feeding practices and advise about the importance of exclusive breast feeding. It also provides an opportunity for questioning and offering advice about contraception.