Infants Feeding Practice in First Six Months in Municipalities Tuzla Canton [Article in Bosnian]

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess infants feeding practice in first six months of life between infants in different areas in Tuzla Canton. Results of this investigation are base for breastfeeding assessment under WHO recommendation. It was an observational study of infants feeding practice in first six months of life. The babies were born in Gynecology-Obstetric department in Tuzla in period from May - September 2004, with 2500 gm or more and at least 37 gestational weeks. Infant feeding practice was collected by questionnaire which was sent to mothers at 13 regions in Tuzla Canton. 493 mothers returned a valid questionnaire. The areas of Tuzla’s canton were divided in two groups according to the statistical significant differences (p<0.05) between the number of exclusive breastfeeding months. First group were areas with more than 41% exclusive breastfeeding rate, and the second below 41%. According to predominant breastfeeding and formula feeding rate the areas of Tuzla Canton were divided in two groups with significant differences (p<0.05) between. First group was areas with predominant breastfeeding rate higher than 20%, and second was below. The areas with formula feeding rate higher than 16.6% were in the first group and below 16.6% were second group. Breastfeeding with supplementation was greatest with infants from Doboj Istok region.

WHO recomendation-exclussive breastfeeding in first six months was inadequite in infants of Tuzla regions, especially in areas with low exclussive breasfeeding rate and high formula feeding rate. In areas with high exclusive breastfeeding rate every second infat had adequite feeding but in other regions every thirth or forth. There are many barriers for exclussive breastfeeding and we have a long way to go to enable all women to breastfeed exclussively. Team work is essential for success.