Assessment of childrearing practices among tribal and nontribal women

AUTHOR(s) : Borah Kobita1 , Talukdar Kunjalal2 , Deka RS3 , Bhuyan Hemeswari4
DOI No. : 10.31741/ijhrmlp.v4.i2.2018.11

ABSTRACT :
Child rearing practices are diverse for different communities and vital for well-being of the infants. In fact, it largely affects the life outcome of the babies. Aim: Toassess the childrearing practices among tribal and non-tribal women in Kamrup (Rural) district, Assam, by employing a descriptive comparative study. Method: Multistage Stratified Random Sampling technique was used to select 100 tribal and 100 non-tribal women who have 6 months old baby. Semi-structured interview schedule was used to collect information. Result: All the tribal women (rf =1) and majority of non-tribal women (rf =.95) fed colostrums to their baby as the first feed. Majority from the both group (tribal rf=.815, non-tribal rf=.775) had initiated breast feeding within 2 hours following delivery. Most of the women-tribal and non-tribal, fed breast milk on demand, while the fraction of tribal women (rf=.75) who continued exclusive breast feeding for 6 month is more than non-tribal (rf=.37) women. Both the groups were found not be concerned about age specific play material, and few used cotton based soft clothing. Majority (tribal rf=.55, nontribal rf=.47) had given baby bath within 10 days following delivery with warm water. Tribal women relied more on home remedies for common minor ailments of their babies. Conclusion: Maximum aspects of child rearing practices of both groups were basically influenced by their family beliefs and practices. Health care providers are most influencing factor for complete immunization as expressed by all the women.

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