ABSTRACT
Background: Global Public Health recommends that infants should receive only breastfeeding for first 6 months of life for their optimal growth and development. This study was done to find the rate of exclusive breast feeding and other feeding practices in children up to 6 months of age.Methods: A hospital based longitudinal study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital for a period of one year. Data from 158 mothers who were admitted for safe confinement was collected using structured questionnaire which was administered at every monthly follow up visit following delivery till first six months. Data included socio-demographic factors, psychosocial factors, breastfeeding details, maternal and infant factors. Data was entered in MS-Excel and analysed on SPSS version 18 software.Results: About 82.9% mothers had the knowledge about benefits of breastfeeding. Breastfeeding was initiated within one hour in 74% babies but exclusive breastfeeding for first six months was given only in 42.4% babies. Pre-lacteal feeds were given only in 3.2% babies. Early complementary feeds were started in 57.6% predominantly with cereal based diet. Perceived insufficiency of milk (30.3%) was the major reason mentioned for starting early complementary feeds.Conclusions: There is a wide gap between the knowledge and practice of exclusive breastfeeding. The importance of exclusive breastfeeding should be reinforced at every immunization visit so as to increase the rate of exclusive breastfeeding.
ABSTRACT
Ayapodi Elagam (A.E) was used in Siddha system of medicine for many years to treat Pandu (Anemia). This medicine contains Nellikai, Keezhanelli, Karisalai and Ayam. These herbs are helps to improve the blood to correct the anemia. This study was carried out to evaluate the acute and chronic toxic effect on Ayapodi Elagam and to determine the LD50. The toxicity study was done as per the guidelines of world health organization (WHO) guideline. As the herbs and Ayam were used for treating anemia by traditional practitioners for years together, the toxicity study was also proposed to study in both sexes. In acute study the animals were divided into two groups A.E was administered at 5000mg/kg orally and animals were observed for toxic sign at 0,5,1,4,24 hour and for 14 days. In chronic toxicity study A.E was administered at 450,900 and 1800 mg/kg body weight/day to 3 groups of animal, respectively. The distilled water was administered to control animals. The result showed that the acute toxicity study of A.E. at the dose level of 5000mg/kg does not produce any toxic sign and mortality among the experimental groups and the LD50 value of the drug was found to be more than 5000mg/kg bodyweight. The weight of rats, wellness parameters, mortality, hematological parameters, biochemical parameters and histological analysis of all vital organs were observed to know the chronic toxic effect of the drug. All the parameters of the study do not show the any significant chances between the control and experimental groups.