Role of Inter Personal Communication in Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices in an Urban Slum: An Overview Based on Case Studies

Abstract

In India, child malnutrition is prevalent, especially among the poor and vulnerable. It is mostly the result of high levels of exposure to infection and inappropriate infant and young child feeding and caring practices, and it sets in mostly during the first 2 to 3y of life. Therefore, the present study was done to assess the role of inter personal communication in influencing the infant and young child feeding practices of mothers in an urban slum of Delhi. Case study method was used to document the practices of mothers residing in an urban slum of Delhi, for infant and young child feeding. In most of the cases, it was observed that full potential of health system contact of beneficiary was not utilized for providing appropriate Inter Personal Communication (IPC). It was not able to make proper use of the opportunity to create awareness on nutrition issues, change norms and practices, and persuade mothers/families to make positive behavior change. IPC was not effective, as it was not personalized as per patient’s educational level and ability to understand technical information. Though IPC component was better for immunization services, it was weakest for nutrition in case of children younger than 2y. ICDS program implementation lays more emphasis on food supplementation than on nutrition and health education interventions. Thus, role of IPC should be increased manifold to inculcate appropriate feeding practices among mothers to improve nutrition in these children. Health and nutrition messages need to reach every household repeatedly through multiple complementary sources to bring desired behavior-change in the community.