| Summary: | A Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences,
University of the Witwatersrand, in fulfilment of the
requirements for the degree of Masters of Medicine –
Obstetrics and Gynaecology
June 2016 === Infant and childhood nutrition is critical to child health and development, and
inappropriate feeding practices are a threat to this. An important measure to reduce
child mortality is providing adequate nutrition and exclusive breastfeeding (EBF).
Maternal education on appropriate infant feeding practices forms an integral part of
promoting child health.
Aim: This study is aimed at determining feeding practices of women who deliver at
Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, and understanding factors that influence
maternal intended infant feeding practices.
Methods: This was a prospective co-hort study conducted between 17 April 2015 and 6
May 2015, using structured questionnaires and information obtained from antenatal
records.
Results: A total of 132 participants were recruited, and 124 (93.94%) were reached for
a follow up telephonic interview - with 8 participants (6.06%) lost to follow up. A majority
of participants (n=86; 69.36%) were still exclusively breastfeeding their babies at 6
weeks follow up. Patient factors that were associated with EBF were unemployment
(n=67; 75.28%) and parity (n=62; 78.48%) - p value< 0.05. An HIV positive status was
associated with a greater percentage of mothers who were formula feeding at 6 weeks
(15/19; 78.95%) - p value<0.05. The intention to EBF also positively correlated with
actual EBF at six weeks (69/86; 80.23%) – p value <0.001. Other variables which were
associated with EBF included the knowledge that breast milk provided sufficient
nutrition for the baby until 6 months of life (p value = 0.05); as well as maternal comfort
to breastfeed in the presence of a family member (p value = 0.015). A total of 19
participants (15.32%) had introduced supplementary foods, in addition to breast milk, by
6 weeks. The most common supplementary food source introduced was formula (n=13;
68.42%).
Conclusion: Although the participants in this study were very knowledgeable in infant
benefits of exclusive breastfeeding, some still chose inappropriate feeding choices.
There is a need for more education with emphasis on EBF and a drive towards more
appropriate infant feeding methods. === MT2017
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