BREAST FEEDING PRACTICES AMONG CHILDREN SUFFERING FROM DIARRHEA UNDER 2 YEARS OF AGE, VISITING TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL, KARACHI.

Abstract

Introduction: Exclusive breast feeding is the key strategy for the development and growth of a child. Inadequate,
partial or complementary feeding practices in the initial six months may lead to detrimental effects on the health,
amongst them diarrhea has been recognized as the major consequences of it. Diarrheal diseases accounts for
approximately 1.34 million deaths globally and act as a second leading cause of mortality among children. The
proposed study was undertaken to determine the breastfeeding practices among children less than 2 years of
age suffering from diarrhea, seeking care at tertiary care Hospital of Karachi.
Methodology: A Cross sectional hospital based study was conducted and data were collected by using semistructured questionnaire after taking consent from mothers. The study was conducted from 1st October to 5th
November 2013. About 207 mothers were selected through Purposive sampling from all three pediatric units of
Civil Hospital Karachi as well as pediatric emergency and pediatrics out-patient departments of Civil Hospital,
Karachi. Results: Out of 207 patients, study results showed children breastfed within one hour after birth were
43.5% (90), within 6 hours were 19.3%(40), within 24 hours were14.5%(30), after 24 hours were19.3%(40) and
patients who were not breastfed at all about were 3.4%(7). Patients who were exclusively breastfed up to 6
months were 36. 2% (75) and about 58% (120) children were given pre-lacteal feed other breast milk.
Conclusion: This study concluded that awareness and knowledge regarding breastfeeding is appropriate among
mothers and care givers but the practices of exclusive breastfeeding are not satisfactory.
Key words: breastfeeding, pre-lacteal feed, complementary feeding, vaccination, diarrhea.