Effect of intervention on promotion of exclusive breast feeding

ABSTRACT

community-based intervention study was conducted in a Katchi Abadi [slum area] of Karachi with the objective of improving optimal breast feeding practices, including promotion of exclusive breast feeding and giving of colostrum to newborns. Sixty-seven mothers were registered in the intervention group and 53 in the control group. Health education to promote exclusive breast feeding was provided in the form of flip-charts, videos and photographs. Sixty-six% mothers in the control group gave prelacteals as compared to 31% in the intervention group [P <.0001]. Colostrum was given by 97% mothers in the intervention group and 3% in the control group. Majority [94%] of intervention group mothers continued exclusive breast feeding till four months of age against 7% in the control group. It was concluded that health education programmes in the antenatal period as well as after birth can promote exclusive breast feeding practices