Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices among Tribal Population of a Tea Estate in Darjeeling District, West Bengal, India

Abstract

Background: Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices play an instrumental role in the social and in turn the individual aspect of human life for promotion of good growth, health, behaviour and cognitive development of the child. Objectives: To find out the current Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices and their correlates among tribal children aged 0-23 months residing in a tea garden of Darjeeling district, West Bengal. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional descriptive study was undertaken among 109 children aged 0-23 months belonging to tribal parents. The mothers of the selected children were interviewed at their home with the help of a pre-tested pre-designed schedule and information on socio-demographic profile, feeding history and feeding practices of the study children was collected. In addition, anthropometric measurements were also done. Results: Among the infants aged below 6 months, breastfeeding was found to be universal. Initiation of complementary feed in the form of semi-solid/solid food was done before and after 6 months in 9.5% and 90.5% respectively among children aged 6-23 months. 44 % of the study population was found to have age-appropriate feeding practices. Conclusion: Infant and young child feeding practices were found to be quite poor in the tribal children. Interventions are needed to improve the knowledge of the mothers regarding the same.