Childcare practice in two ecologically different rural areas : A case study

Abstract

Child feeding and health seeking behaviour among the mothers of two ecologically
different rural areas was studied to evaluate their child care practice. Location I is a
highland, tripple crop area and location II Is a low lying flood prone, double crop
area. Children under 2 years of age were studied. Nutritional care (feeding), health
care (both preventive and curative) and growth status of the target children were
evaluated. Breastfeeding was found universal, but exclusive breastfeeding was non
existent in both the areas. Pre-lacteal feeding was a normal practice. Sweet water was
offered as first feed to more than half o f the infants. One-half of the mothers found
Initiated breastfeeding within 24 hours of delivery. Seventy percent babies received
colostrum. Over sixty percent of the target mothers were still continuing
breastfeeding their babies. Complementaiy feeding, which was practiced by a fewer
number o f mothers usually started with rice gruel and some with cow’s milk. Late
weaning was observed in location - I. Mashed banana was introduced in that locality
as the primary weaning food whereas mashed rice/mixed food dominated in location
-II. Family food rather than food specially prepared for the babies were served.
Twenty to thirty percent of the studied children were reported to suffer either from
diarrhoea or from ARI. Immunization and VAC coverage found satisfactory. During
illness most of the families found to seek help from the paramedics/traditional healer
rather than going to the thana health complex. Malnutrition prevalence expressed as
percentage of children with z-score shows veiy few to be classified as ‘normal’
nutritionally. More than 40 % children in location - I were found to suffer from third
degree malnutrition. Severity of malnutrition between the two ecologically different
rural areas was significant (p<0.05).