Prevalence of Diarrhoea in Infants and its Relation to Feeding and Weaning Practices

Ramesh Chander; Puja Vimesh; Shyam Singh

doi:10.33883/jms.v14i1.65

Ramesh Chander Faculty of Medicine
Puja Vimesh Cardiothoracic Anaesthesia
Shyam Singh Cardiovascular &Thoracic Surgery SKIMS

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33883/jms.v14i1.65

Keywords: Diarrhoea, breast feeding, weaning, infants

Abstract

Diarrhoea is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in infants in developing countries, because of diverse factors associated with it.

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship of diarrhoea with feeding and weaning practices.

METHODS: In this Cross-sectional epidemiological study, 704 infants and their mothers were studied for feeding and weaning practices using semi-structured closed ended questionnaire.

RESULTS: Prevalence of diarrhea was observed lowest among exclusive breast fed (3.9%) and highest among mixed fed including supplementary feeding (15.2%). Artificial feeding was prevalent in 9.2%. Consumption of leftover food was accompanied by double the prevalence (21.89%) as compared to those who did not consume such food (10.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Education and awareness of mothers regarding breast feeding, can help decrease the prevalence of diarroea in infants and associated morbidity and mortality. JMS 2011;14(1):19-21

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Author Biographies

Ramesh Chander, Faculty of Medicine

M.D
Head, Deptt. of Family and Community Medicine, Sirte University, Sirte

Puja Vimesh, Cardiothoracic Anaesthesia

GMC Jammu

Shyam Singh, Cardiovascular &Thoracic Surgery SKIMS

M.Ch