DETERMINING THE FACTORS AFFECTING DECISIONS REGARDING FORMULA MILK FEEDING PRACTICES AMONG DIFFERENT SOCIO ECONOMIC CLASS MOTHERS
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Date
2024
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Publisher
UMT.Lahore
Abstract
Adequate nutrition during infancy is essential for healthy growth and
development for all newborns. However, the rate of breastfeeding has been
decreasing and is being replaced by formula feeding, mostly in the urban domains
(areas) of developing countries, including Pakistan. Hence, the aim of this study was
to determine the practices of formula feeding and associated factors among mothers
with children aged from 0-12 months. A cross-sectional study was conducted in
Lahore from October 2023 to March, 2024 among 384 mothers. A simple random
sampling technique was used in this study. Pre-tested semi-structured questionnaires
were used to collect the data. Descriptive statistics and Chi-Square analysis were
performed, and variables with a p-value<0.05 were declared statistically significant
with formula feeding. The present study determined that the factors associated with
the supplementation of formula feeding include maternal employment, Insufficient
milk production, cesarean delivery, maternal positive attitude toward formula milk
and doctor recommendation, whereas factors associated with completely formula
feeding include maternal (HCV, Diabetes, and complications during delivery) and
infant health related factors (Lactose intolerance, milk allergy, pre-term birth and
other medical conditions). However, maternal age, education and monthly income,
as well as advertisement and labelling did not show any significant association with
feeding choice. Hence, much effort should be invested in educating pregnant and
lactating mothers to improve their knowledge of formula feeding while worked on
such activities that change their attitude toward formula feeding.