Sociodemographic Correlates of Exclusive Breastfeeding Practices among Antenatal Women in Bhopal: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Background: Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for the first 6 months of life is critical for infant survival and development. Objectives: This study examines how these factors affect EBF knowledge, attitude, and practices among antenatal women at Sultania Zanana Hospital, Bhopal. Materials and Methods:...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences
Main Authors: Niti Batra, Anjulika Mehta, Pawan Nandurkar, Manik Sirpurkar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2025-09-01
Subjects:
antenatal women
exclusive breastfeeding
sociodemographic factors
Online Access:https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jpbs.jpbs_665_25
Description
Summary:Background: Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for the first 6 months of life is critical for infant survival and development. Objectives: This study examines how these factors affect EBF knowledge, attitude, and practices among antenatal women at Sultania Zanana Hospital, Bhopal. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1000 antenatal women with at least one live child. A structured interview schedule collected sociodemographic data, knowledge of recommended feeding guidelines, and past breastfeeding practices. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests to identify significant associations (P < 0.05). Results: Younger mothers aged 20–25 years constituted 51.8% of the sample, but they were significantly less likely to initiate breastfeeding early (P < 0.05). Maternal literacy emerged as a key determinant: Illiterate women had lower awareness about early initiation. Conclusion: Sociodemographic factors—especially age, religion, literacy, and mode of delivery—significantly influence breastfeeding practices.
ISSN:0976-4879
0975-7406

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