Intergenerational Breastfeeding Knowledge and Infant Feeding Practices in South India (2012)
Undergraduate: Hema Chagarlamudi
Faculty Advisor: Amanda Thompson
Department: Biology
The benefits of breastfeeding and early nutrition to later life health have been extensively studied and widely accepted. The purpose of this study is to determine the knowledge of these benefits and attitudes toward breastfeeding and infant feeding practices among South Indian women. This study has three main aims. The first study aim is to describe the predominant infant feeding practices and overall knowledge and attitudes toward breastfeeding benefits. The second aim is to determine differences in knowledge and practices based on age and income levels of the participants. The final, qualitative aim is to understand the reasoning behind accepted beliefs and practices. Participants included 75 women of different ages and socioeconomic levels. Surveys and open-ended interviews were used and translations in local languages were provided when necessary. Most participants chose to breastfeed their children or recommended breastfeeding in early infancy. There was less agreement on the benefits of breastfeeding and other infant feeding practices, such as the age to introduce solids. When asked to rank the importance of breastfeeding for preventing certain diseases, lifestyle diseases, such as obesity, were ranked lower in importance than other diseases such as cancer. Results also suggest that responses differed based on income level rather than age. This study highlights areas of low awareness that need to be addressed. While all participants expressed positive attitudes toward breastfeeding, their reasoning and knowledge of benefits provided by breastfeeding were often conflicting. There is also a lack of awareness about the consequences of breastfeeding for preventing lifestyle diseases, such as diarrhea, and long-term health conditions, such as obesity. The importance of disease prevention and long-term consequences of early nutrition should be stressed in future interventions.