Complementary Feeding Status of Children Residing in Urban Slum of East Delhi

Background: Feeding practices both in terms of quality as well as quantity is of great importance in the initial years of life for the optimal growth especially the “critical window period”. Urban slum dwellers are at higher risk of poor child feeding status. The study aims to assess the IYCF indicators related to complementary feeding in an urban slum of East Delhi and to explore its association with the socio-demographic factors. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in an urban slum of Sunder Nagari in East Delhi. One hundered and eighty one children between 6-24 months of age were included in the study. The infant and young child feeding (IYCF) status data was collected using pretested and pre-validated questionnaire adapted from the standard WHO-IYCF questionnaire. Socio-demographic characteristics were also recorded. Chi-square tests were applied to explore the association of socio-demographic variables with IYCF status. Results: Early initiation of breastfeeding was practiced in around half of the children. Minimum Dietary Diversity (MDD), Minimum Meal Frequency (MMF) and Minimum Acceptable Diet (MAD) was found to be 17.7%, 69.1% and 16.6%, respectively. These complementary feeding indicators were found to be better (p<0.05) among higher age group children, mothers with higher level of education and middle socio-economic class in comparison to lower socioeconomic section of the study population. Conclusion: Infant and young child feeding practices were found to be poor in the present study. More impetus is needed to promote IYCF practices in urban slums.