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.