DOI: 10.36347/sajb.2015.v03i06.001

Pages: 509-514

: The practice of pre lacteal feeding, duration of exclusive and continued breast feeding are widely prevalent in different parts of the country and there are many determining and associated factors responsible for it. It is necessary to find the prevalence of such practice at periodic intervals in the community. To investigate the prevalence of pre lacteal feeding, analyse the exclusive and continued breast feeding practices among families in the rural area of Pondicherry. A descriptive, community based, cross sectional and quantitative study was conducted during the year 2014 among the 350 families residing in the rural area using the semi open ended questionnaire by direct interview at their doorsteps. Proportion, mean, median, standard deviation, chi square test were applied using SPSS statistical software version 18. The prevalence rate of pre lacteal feeding and exclusive breast feeding was 48% and 71% respectively. The mean duration of exclusive breast feeding was 5.9+3 (median 5.1 months) and continued breast feeding was 15.2+3.5 months (median 14). The differences in prevalence rates and mean duration of breast feeding were negligible with various associated factors. Conclusion: The practice of pre lacteal feeding practice among half of the newborn children and exclusive breast feeding was less than three fourth of the infants. It is necessary to create awareness to stop pre lacteal feeding to the newborns and promote exclusive breast feeding in intensive was within their cultural acceptance.