Bhagyalekshmi Latha, Tomy Chitra, Olickal Jeby J, Thankappan Kavumpurathu R
Department of Public Health, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, IND.
Department of Community Medicine, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, IND.
Cureus. 2024 Nov 28;16(11):e74706. doi: 10.7759/cureus.74706. eCollection 2024 Nov.
Background There is a scarcity of data on formula-feeding practices in India. Therefore, we conducted this study to determine the prevalence and factors associated with formula-feeding practices among mothers of infants in a sub-district of Kerala, India. Methods This community-based cross-sectional study included 300 mothers of infants aged 0-12 months selected using multistage cluster sampling. Data on formula feeding practices were collected at any point during the infant's life through a pre-tested, structured interview schedule. Log-binomial regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with formula feeding. Results The mean age of the mothers was 27.06 years (SD: 3.90). Of the participants, 75% (n=225) were graduates or postgraduates, 67.33% (n=202) were homemakers, and 58% (n=174) were above the poverty line (APL). Early initiation of breastfeeding (within one hour of birth) was reported by 65% (n=195) of the mothers. The prevalence of formula feeding among infants under one year was 53.3% [95% Confidence Interval (CI): 47.5-59.1%]. Infants of mothers who delivered in private hospitals [adjusted prevalence ratio (APR): 3.44, 95% CI: 2.47-4.79; p<0.001] and those with a birth weight below 2.5 kg [APR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.03-1.39; p=0.015] were more likely to be formula-fed compared to their counterparts. Conclusion Formula feeding was observed in over half of the infants in our study. Targeted interventions are essential to reduce formula-feeding practices, especially among low-birth-weight infants and those born in private hospitals.
印度关于配方奶喂养做法的数据匮乏。因此，我们开展了这项研究，以确定印度喀拉拉邦一个分区中婴儿母亲的配方奶喂养流行情况及其相关因素。
这项基于社区的横断面研究纳入了300名0至12个月婴儿的母亲，采用多阶段整群抽样法选取。通过预先测试的结构化访谈问卷，在婴儿生命中的任何时间点收集配方奶喂养做法的数据。进行对数二项回归分析以确定与配方奶喂养相关的因素。
母亲的平均年龄为27.06岁（标准差：3.90）。参与者中，75%（n = 225）为毕业生或研究生，67.33%（n = 202）为家庭主妇，58%（n = 174）处于贫困线以上（APL）。65%（n = 195）的母亲报告在出生后一小时内开始母乳喂养。一岁以下婴儿的配方奶喂养流行率为53.3%[95%置信区间（CI）：47.5 - 59.1%]。与其他婴儿相比，在私立医院分娩的母亲的婴儿[调整后流行率比（APR）：3.44，95% CI：2.47 - 4.79；p < 0.001]以及出生体重低于2.5千克的婴儿[APR：1.20，95% CI：1.03 - 1.39；p = 0.015]更有可能接受配方奶喂养。
在我们的研究中，超过一半的婴儿采用配方奶喂养。针对性干预对于减少配方奶喂养做法至关重要，尤其是在低出生体重婴儿和私立医院出生的婴儿中。
