Sadia Ashraf, Mansur ud Din Ahmed, Muhammad Hassan Mushtaq, Gurdeep Singh and Amjad Khan*

To evaluate traditional neonatal beliefs and care practices among urban and rural residents and assessing predictors of early initiation of breastfeeding, a cross-sectional study was conducted in two districts, Lahore and Rawalpindi of Pakistan. A total of 218 mothers having infants (< 2 years of age) were interviewed through collecting information through a questionnaire. In the logistic regression analysis, presence of professional birth attendant (P-value = 0.012, OR = 3.909), sterilization of feeding bottle (P-value = 0.013, OR = 3.280) and knowledge about reason of vaccination (P-value = 0.010, OR = 2.058) were significantly associated with urbanization. Maternal education was significantly associated with correct timing to start weaning practice, breast milk was sufficient for infant, hand washing practice before breastfeeding, good cord care, vaccination status, reason of vaccination and knowledge about Jaundice in neonatal period (P < 0.05). The results of multivariate ordinal regression showed that young literate mothers ((P < 0.001; OR = 3.192) started breastfeeding earlier than the elder and illiterate mothers. Furthermore, the women with normal delivery (P < 0.01; OR = 0.301) and low socioeconomic class (P < 0.10; OR = 0.339) started breastfeeding earlier. Among 218 mothers 44.5%, newborns were bathed immediately. A significant proportion of mothers 77.1% reported giving prelacteals as first feed. Majority of mothers 30.7% apply oil on umbilical cord. also, 72.5% mothers administered gripe water to their infants. Traditional risky newborn care practices stress the need for promoting health education programs on improving newborn care practices.

Cite this Article: Ashraf S, ud Din Ahmed M, Mushtaq MH, Singh G, Khan A. KAP Survey in Mothers Towards infant Care and Feeding in Pakistan. American J Epidemiol Public Health. 2017;1(1): 001-007.

Published: 04 December 2017