Determinatns of Timely Introduction of Complimentary Feeding in India: Secondary Analysis of National Survey Data 1992- 2006

• Duration: 540 Mins
• Credits: 0.25 CERP, 0.25 L-CERP
• Learning Format: Webinar
• Handout: Yes
• Origin: ABM Conference 2016

Abstract:

To determine the changes in the prevalence andkey determinants of timely initiation of complementary feeding among infants in India, secondary data analysis of two rounds of India’s National surveys conducted in the year 1992-93(NFHS-1)and 2005-06 (NFHS-3) was carried out. Early and timely introduction of complementary feeding at four and six months of age respectively are taken as the study variables and examined against demographic, socio-economic and health service availed variables using multinomial logistic regression along with multiple classification analysis.The early introduction of complementary feeding among 39% infants in NFHS-3 as compared to 30% in NFHS-1 is indicative of a worsening trend. Overall, there is a 10% increase in timely introduction of complementary feeding in NFHS-3 with 54% infants receiving it. Urban place of residence, higher educational attainment of mother, medium wealth index and perceived small size of baby at birth are associated with early introduction of complimentary feeding. Living in urban area, and perceived small size at birth are associated with timely complimentary feeding rates in both the surveys. Mothers being more literate, in non-gainful occupation and belonging to high wealth index were the other predictors associated with enhanced timely complimentary feeding in NFHS-1. While in NFHS-3, in infants of mothers who had availed health services like antenatal/natal care, there was a greater likelihood of timely introduction of complementary feeding.

Learning Objectives: