Pattern Of Breast Feeding, Weaning And Nutritional Status Of Under Five Children Of Working Mothers Of Bangladesh Armed Forces

Background: Adequate nutrition is essential in early childhood to ensure healthy growth, proper organ formation and function, a strong immune system, and neurological and cognitive development. The objective of the study is to assess the pattern of breast feeding, weaning and dietary behavior of under-five children of working mothers attended Child Welfare Centre (CWC), Malobika and Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Dhaka. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted at CWC, Malobika and Combined Military Hospital, Dhaka over a period of six months from July 2017 to December 2017. All under-five years old sick children of employed mothers of Bangladesh Armed Forces attended CWC Malobika and CMH, Dhaka were included in the study and mothers were the respondents. Total 130 children were selected purposively for the study. Data were analyzed by using SPSS (statistical package for social sciences), version 25.0. The level of significance was set at 5% and p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Majority (92.3%) of the children was nutritionally normal in terms Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC). Only 10(7.7%) children was malnourished; of them 6(4.6%) were severely malnourished and 4(3.1%) were moderately malnourished. In terms of Weight for Age Z score (WAZ) 3.1% were severe underweight and another 3.1% were moderate underweight. In terms of Height for Age Z score (HAZ), 5.4% were severely stunted and 6.2% were moderately stunted, while with respect to Weight for Height Z score (WHZ), 2.3% were severely wasted and 7.7% were moderately wasted. Conclusion: Nutritional status in children of working mothers of Armed Forces at Dhaka Garrison was high compared to the national figure. Bangladesh Armed Forces Med J Vol 56 No (1) June 2023, pp 35-41