Chanda Mog - Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Agartala Government Medical College, Agartala, Tripura, India
Nimai Luwang - Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Agartala Government Medical College, Agartala, Tripura, India
Shampa Das - Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Agartala Government Medical College, Agartala, Tripura, India

Background & aim: The prevalence rate of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is continued to be reported low in spite of all the benefits and numerous advantages of EBF. Hence, the aim of the study was to compare the prevalence of EBF and its associated factors among primiparaous and multiparaous women in an urban slum, Agartala, West Tripura, Northeast India. Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted in an urban slum among ۲۰۰ subjects (۱۰۰ primipara and ۱۰۰ multipara mothers), who were selected by simple random sampling technique. Data was collected by interviewing the subjects using a predesigned, pretested, structured interview schedule. Statistical analysis was done using Chi-Square test, Fisher’s exact test and Independent t-test. Results: The prevalence rate of EBF among primiparous and multiparous mothers were ۵۳% and ۶۸%, respectively [OR= ۱.۸۸ (۱.۰۶۰, ۳.۳۴۹)]. Those primiparaous mothers who went for antenatal check-up (ANC) minimum four times or more during pregnancy had ۲.۷۱ odds (۱.۰۰۹, ۷.۲۹۷) and who delivered at the health care facility had ۲.۴۳ odds (۰.۸۲۸, ۷.۱۶۸) of practice more EBF compared to those who had ANC less than ۴ times and delivered at home. However, among multiparaous mothers, Muslims mothers had ۲.۳۳ odds (۰.۹۶۲, ۵.۶۵۹) of practice more EBF than Hindus. Conclusion: The findings suggests that to improve the EBF rate among those who are not practicing EBF till six months of age, a special attention is needed to focus. Hence, community based awareness programme should be conducted frequently in the study area to promote EBF.

Exclusive breastfeeding, Prevalence, Associated factors, Primiparous, Multiparous