Breastfeeding, weaning practices and nutritional status of infants of tea garden workers of Assam
Medhi, G.K.; Mahanta, J.
Indian Pediatrics 41(12): 1277-1279
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-6061 PMID: 15623918 Document Number: 239852
The breast feeding and weaning practices among tea garden workers of Assam, India, were studied in relation to the nutritional status of infants. Data on the current status of breast feeding (exclusive breast feeding and partial breast feeding/artificial feeding) and weaning practices were obtained from mothers of 110 infants. Breast feeding rate from zero to 12 months was 100%; exclusive breast feeding rate was 69.35% up to 6 months of age. The introduction of complementary feedings was generally delayed among the tea garden workers. The prevalence of underweight, stunting and wasting was lower (22.6, 32.3 and 8.1%, respectively) in 0- to 6-month-old infants compared to infants 6-12 months of age (64.6, 41.7 and 39.6%, respectively). The prevalence of underweight, stunting and wasting was also lower among exclusively breast fed infants (aged 0-6 months) as compared to partially or artificially fed infants (11.63 vs. 47.37; 16.28 vs. 68.42; and 4.65 vs. 15.79%, respectively). A high prevalence of malnutrition was also noted among older children (6-12 months of age). The data indicated that exclusive breast feeding has to be protected and promoted in the community due to its beneficial effects on growth and development of infants; however, it is also essential to promote appropriate weaning practices, which is equally important for preventing malnutrition.