A study to assess the knowledge regarding supplementary food among mothers of infants at selected slums, Navi Mumbai

Abstract

Aim: To assess the knowledge regarding meaning of supplementary food among mothers of infants; regarding importance of supplementary food among mothers of infants; regarding principles of supplementary food among mothers of infants, and regarding cost effectiveness of the home preparation of supplementary food among mothers of infants.

Materials and Methods: The study will be conducted at selected urban slums of Navi Mumbai among mothers of infants. The urban slums are shiravone, belapur, nerul phase I& II. 300 Mothers of infants were included in the study.

Results: In the present study, we observed that out of 292 subjects who were mothers of infants at urban area, maximum 52% of mothers were in the age group of 25-29 and 31% and 14% are in the age group of 20-24 and 30-34 respectively. Among education of mothers of infants at urban area, 38.4% of the mothers were completed her secondary school education, 15% of mothers were illiterate, 28.4% and 18.2% were completed her primary school and higher secondary respectively. Out of 292 subjects, 44 % families had 5000-10000 income per month, 31.8% families have 10000-15000 income per month, less than 5000 income only in 11.6% families and only 9.6 % of families have more the 15000 income per month. Most of the families are nuclear families 55.1% and 32.2% families were joint families. Out of 292 samples only 183 (62.7%) of father were private employee and only 34 (11.6%) were on government employee, 53 (18.2%) were business man. But in case of mother, most of the mothers 120 (41.1%) were at home, 39 (13.4%) were on service, 110 (37.7%) were house maid and 21 (7.2%) of mother were doing business. Out of 292 subjects, 242 (82.9%) of women belongs to Hindu background, 132 women (45.9%) of women were having two children133 women (45.5%) women were two infants. 99 women (33.9%) of women have not maintained any space between children at least 6 months. 200 women (68.5 %) of women belong to Non- Vegetarian group and 72(24.7%) were vegetarian, 15 (5.1%) and 4 (1.4%) women were ovo vegetarian and comes under in other category of food pattern respectively. Our study found that Age factor was not significant with the knowledge of mothers regarding supplementary food; however, educational qualification, family income, family type, father's occupation, religion were significant associated with the knowledge of mothers regarding supplementary food.

Conclusion: The findings of the study showed that there was a difference between knowledge of mothers regarding supplementary foods.