Original article
English
A. Abudejaja, Ratan Singh, M. Aman Ullah Khan
Department of Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Garyounis, Benghazi, S.P.L.A.J.
Garyounis Medical Journal Vol. 5, No.1. January 1982:29-36
Abstract
A study of current infant feeding practices was conducted in a urban community of Benghazi, Libyan Jamahiriya between 1st June to 31st August 1979. 92.8% of infants were breast fed for various periods and 54.8% for more than 6 months. 94.0 infants were given pre-lacteal feeds and 73.2% breast milk within 36 hours after birth. 90.0% infants were introduced water under 6 months of age. 94.0% infants were supplemented or substituted by artificial feeds at sometime in their life and 53.2% under 6 months of age. Young mothers under 20 years of age and low parity women under para 4 gave artificial feeds more often and much earlier than older and high parity women. The main reason for abondoning breast feeding were subsequent pregnancy, insufficient breast milk, neighbours’ advice, easy availability of Similac or other milk preparations at M. C. H. Centres and infant’s illness or hospitalization. Some measures for sustaifling the present practices, further encouragement and prolongation of breast feeding are emphasized.
Keywords: Infant Feeding Practices in North Eastern Region of Libyan Jamahiriya
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