Infant Feeding Practices and Nutritional Status among Selected Garo and Non garo Plain land Population

Abstract

The study investigated the pattern of infant feeding as well as the principal factors
associated with such feeding practices. The mothers and their children (0-12
months) of 270 households (90 HHs from Garo, and 180 HHs from Non Garo
plainland ) were taken in the study. It was found that 55.6% o f Garo and 44.4% of
Non Garo were within the monthly family income range o f TK. 2000-2999 and
monthly family expenditure o f 53.3% o f Garo and 44.4% of.Non Garo families
were within 1500-2499 taka. The study also shows that 96.7% o f Garo families and
90.6% of Non Garo families had own house and the 95.6% of Garo families as well
as 94.4% o f Non Garo families were nuclear family. It was found that the highest
percentage (40%) for Garo and (43.3%) for Non Garo mother’s education were
Primary education. It appears from the study that 95.6% o f Garo mothers and
97.2% o f Non Garo mothers breast fed their babies and 80% o f Garo mothers and
89.4% of Non Garo mothers gave colostrum to their babies. The study showed that
87% of Garo and 84% Non Garo mothers started complementary feeding within 6
months of age and 34.8% of Garo and 25% of Non Garo children received cow’s
milk as complementary food. Most of the families gave only one food as
complementary food (56.5% of Garo and 53% of Non Garo). Again, 32.6% o f Garo
and 36% of Non Garo family used two foods as complementary food. It was found
that 30.4% of Garo and 38% of Non Garo mothers served two times o f one time
prepared complementary food. While 26.1% o f Garo and 37% o f Non Garo
mothers served three times and 43.5% of Garo and 25% o f Non Garo mothers
served four times of one time prepared complementary food to their children. In
case of stunting there is significant difference ( P=0.048 ) between Garo and Non
Garo children where 10% of Garo and 21.1% of Non Garo children were severely
stunted.