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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Anubha Ghose, DCH, MD and Sanjay Kumar, PhD. Health Sector, CARE India, 27, Hauz Khas Village, New Delhi, India, 91-11-6564101, aghose@careindia.org
It is alarming that India’s high IMR of 72 is stagnating for the last 7 to 8 years. Reports also reveals that 65% of the infants die during the neonatal period. It is also widely accepted that appropriate breast feeding practices enhances child survival. Consistent with the country’s diversity and ethnicity the tribal population with a higher IMR of 84,was selected to study the determinants of Breast feeding practices,which will help in prioritizing interventions. This study was conducted in the tribal community with a population of 154,000 in Jarkhand in the month of November 2001. The primary aim was to investigate the major factors influencing breast-feeding practices to help formulate an effective behavioral change communication strategy for better child survival. The study collected information from 447 mothers of infants and also conducted in-depth interview of important community members. Major findings – 1. Inappropriate beast feeding practices was more common among mothers below 20 years of age, 2. Literacy of mothers has insignificant impact on breast feeding practices, 3. Increase in Knowledge alone does not improve practices and 4. Trained community health functionaries are the most effect communicators. This study helped in formulating the BCC strategy for a Child Survival project by targeting younger mothers irrespective of literacy status and reaching them through the trained community health workers. The approach was to bring about the necessary attitudinal changes along with appropriate knowledge to help them adopt the right practice.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to
Keywords: Breast Feeding, Behavioral Research
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: CARE India
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employee