A community based study on breast feeding practices in Gampaha district

• Main Authors: A. Jayatilleka (Author), D. N. Femando (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka, 2002-12-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 1391-3174; 2579-1451; 10.4038/jccpsl.v7i1.8286
• Keywords: breast feeding practices, community based study; Public aspects of medicine; RA1-1270
• Source: Journal of the College of Community Physicians, Vol 7, Iss 1, Pp 32-36 (2002)

<p><strong>Objective:</strong> To determine the prevalence of exclusive breast feeding, the predominant breast feeding rate and the bottle feeding rate, and to identify the factors influencing exclusive breast feeding in the Gampaha district.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Methodology:</strong> A sample of 1075 mothers, each with a child aged less than 365 days was identified from two randomly selected Medical Officer of Health areas, Information related to birth and feeding practices were obtained using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. Mothers' knowledge on breastfeeding was also assessed.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Results:</strong> Initiation of breast feeding was universal, with an exclusive breast feeding rate (EBF)of 63.7%. Logistic regression analysis identified that 'mother working outside the home', delivery being not a normal delivery, not receiving antenatal education and poor knowledge on EBF were negatively associated with EBF.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Even though an improvement in the EBF rate is seen over the past years, there is a need to strengthen antenatal and post-natal practices to encourage EBF and to develop innovative strategies to promote EBF among working women.</p>