Infant feeding - an evaluation of text and taught.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Study was conducted to 1) assess knowledge of doctors, medical interns and nurses/ANMs regarding exclusive breast-feeding, management of common problems related to breast feeding and appropriate complementary foods 2) review the above aspects in books commonly read by medical and nursing students. METHODS: Cross-sectional study conducted in the department of Community Medicine, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi during a seven-month period on 93 interns, 58 medical officers and 44 nurses/ Auxillary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) with the help of a pre-tested structured multiple choice questionnaire and review of some commonly read books of Pediatrics, Community Medicine and Nursing. RESULTS: The concept of 'exclusive breast-feeding' was clear to most health personnel but the fact that water should also not be given was not clear in the books reviewed. The books also lacked emphasis on management of common lactation problems and this was also seen in the knowledge of the health personnel. CONCLUSION: As inappropriate feeding practices are widely prevalent, knowledge of large proportion of health personnel is incorrect and commonly read books are inadequate on this issue, there is need for greater emphasis on this in books and training sessions.