Browsing by Author "Mathema, Smriti"
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Publication Breastfeeding Practices in Kathmandu(Nepal Paediatric Society (JNPS), 2014) Mathema, SmritiAbstract: Introduction: In spite of significant evidence on a number of important health benefits of breastfeeding, it has been seen that a vast number of infants in Nepal are not being breastfed appropriately based on standard recommendations. This study was conducted to evaluate the breastfeeding practices prevalent in Kathmandu. Materials and Methods: This was across-sectional survey carried out over a period of 24 months from January 2011 to December 2012 on a convenient sample of children aged 6 months to 23 months when they were brought for treatment to Kathmandu Medical College and Teaching Hospital. Breastfeeding was defined according to the recent WHO guidelines and mothers were interviewed as per a structured questionnaire. Results: There were 1250 children enrolled in the study, out of which almost all infants (99.7%, n=1246) received colostrum. Only 62.64% (n=783) babies received breast milk as their first food. Initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of delivery was done by 719 (57.5%) mothers. The median duration of exclusive breastfeeding was 3.8 months. Conclusion: This study reflects that majority of infants in Kathmandu are still not fed in accordance with breastfeeding recommendations and guidelines. More attention should be given to a proper community-based program including subsequent monitoring of its implementation as exclusive breastfeeding has been proved to be one of the most effective ways to improve infant survival.Publication Knowledge, Attitude and Practices among Mothers of Children 6 to 24 months of Age Regarding Complementary Feeding(Nepal Medical Association, 2020) Shrestha, Sabina; Pokhrel, Manoj; Mathema, SmritiAbstract: Introduction: Complementary foods fill the gap between the total nutritional needs of the child and the amounts provided by breast milk. Inappropriate feeding practices are a major cause of the onset of malnutrition in young children. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices of mothers of children between 6 to 24 months of age regarding complementary feeding. Methods: This Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Study was conducted among 250 mothers in Kathmandu Medical College and Teaching Hospital from June 2019 to November 2019 after obtaining ethical approval from the institutional review committee (Ref no. 150320199). Convenient sampling method was applied. The mothers of children between 6 to 24 months were interviewed using a structured questionnaire to ascertain the knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding complementary feeding. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 20. Results: Two hundred and fifty mothers were interviewed. 151 (60.4%) mothers knew initiation of breastfeeding soon after birth and 179 (71.6%) were knowledgeable about exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months. 161 (64.4%) mothers knew the proper age of initiating complementary feeding but only 139 (55.6%) mothers practiced it. Early initiation of complementary feeding was done by 87 (34.8%) mothers while 24 (9.6%) mothers delayed it beyond 6 months. Conclusions: There was a gap in knowledge and practice among mothers regarding adequate age of initiation of complementary feeding, complementary foods, preparation, and practices.