Socio-demographic correlates of breast-feeding in urban slums of Chandigarh.

RESEARCH QUESTION Whether socio-demographic factors are associated with initiation of breast-feeding in urban slums of Chandigarh. OBJECTIVES (1) To study the prevailing breast-feeding practices adopted by mothers, (2) To study the socio-demographic factors associated with initiation of breast-feeding. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional. PARTICIPANTS Mothers of infants willing to participate in the study in the selected area. SAMPLE SIZE A total of 270 respondents. STUDY VARIABLES Social and demographic characteristics like age, socioeconomic status, educational level, birth interval, parity, gender preference, natal care practices, etc.; and variables related to various aspects of breast-feeding practices like prelacteal feed, initiation of feeding, colostrum feeding, reasons of discarding colostrum, etc. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Chi-square test and odd ratios along with their respective 95% confidence intervals, multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS Out of all 270 respondents, 159 (58.9%) initiated breast-feeding within 6 h of birth, only 43 (15.9%) discarded colostrum and 108 (40.0%) mothers gave prelacteal feed. Illiterate/just literate mothers who delivered at home were found at significantly higher risk of delay in initiation of breast-feeding on the basis of multiple logistic regression analysis. SUGGESTIONS Promotion of institutional deliveries and imparting health education to mothers for protecting and promoting optimal breast-feeding practices are suggested.