Effect of intervention on promotion of exclusive breast feeding
Akram, D.S.; Agboatwalla, M.; Shamshad, S.
Jpma. Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association 47(2): 46-48
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0030-9982 PMID: 9071860 Document Number: 475420
A community-based intervention study was conducted in a Katchi Abadi (slum area) of Karachi with the objective of improving optimal breast feeding practices, including promotion of exclusive breast feeding and giving of colostrum to newborns. Sixty-seven mothers were registered in the intervention group and 53 in the control group. Health education to promote exclusive breast feeding was provided in the form of flip-charts, videos and photographs. Sixty-six percent mothers in the control group gave prelacteals as compared to 31% in the intervention group (P < .0001). Colostrum was given by 97% mothers in the intervention group and 3% in the control group. Majority (94%) of intervention group mothers continued exclusive breast feeding till four months of age against 7% in the control group. It was concluded that health education programmes in the antenatal period as well as after birth can promote exclusive breast feeding practices.