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IMPACT OF BABY FRIENDLY HOSPITAL INITIA TIVE PROGRAMME IN RURAL KERALA

Mathew MA

Mosc Medical Mission Hospital, Ernakulam, Kerala, India

Objective: Aim of our study is to know the impact of Baby Friend Hospital Initiative programme.

Methods: Programme was implemented in 1995 prior to this, we conducted a study to know the infant feeding pattern. 5years after implementation we conducted another survey, to know the impact.

Results: The results of this survey show that bottle-feeding has almost been completely eradicated, The initiation of the Breast feeding within 4 hours was 25% prior to this program has gone upto93%. The exclusive Breast feeding upto4months was less than 5% has gone upto39%. There is a marked decrease in incident of Diarrhoea and Respiratory Diseases.

Conclusion: This study also helps up to identify areas that need more attention in future. More efforts have to be made to discourage Pre-lacteal feeds and also to promote exclusive Breast feeding till 4 months