Prevalence of Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) Practices among Children Under Two Years of Age in Two Colonies of North East Delhi: A Comparative Study.

Background: Adequate nutrition is critical to child health and development. The current status of feeding practices in India as cited by National Family Health Survey-3 (2005-2006) is rather dismal. Objectives: To study the prevalence of IYCF practices and its socio-demographic determinants among children under two years of age in Vivekvihar and Nandnagri To compare IYCF practices between the two study areas Materials and Method: A cross-sectional study was done in children between 0 - 23 months of age in September, 2010 using pretested semi-structured interview schedule in two colonies with different socioeconomic settings. Convenience sampling was done to include a total of 725 children in the study. Results: Breastfeeding was initiated within 1 hour of birth for 38% of newborns, 18.75% received prelacteal feeds while 93% received colostrum. 57% of infants had received exclusive breast feeding for 6 months. Practice of pre-lacteal feed was seen to be significantly more in infants of Nandnagri as compared to Vivekvihar (p value 0.029). However, infants of Vivekvihar were more likely to be exclusively breastfed as compared to Nandnagri (p value <0.001) and also more likely to receive Colostrum (p value <0.001). Conclusion: Overall the prevalence of IYCF practices were falling short of national goals set for the year 2007. Socio-demographic factors like place of residence, place of delivery, mother's occupation do have a significant impact on IYCF practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]