A Study on Pattern of Infant Health Care in Baitadi District of Nepal

Background: Infant health is an important indicator of the countrys socioeconomic development and quality of life. It can also help identify children who may be at higher risk of death and lead to strategies to reduce this risk, such as promoting birth spacing. Which presents information on levels, trends, and differentials in prenatal, neonatal, infant, and under-5 mortality rates, it also examines bio demographic factors and fertility behaviors that increase mortality risks for infants and children. This study was based on the primary data obtained from field survey Objective: To determine the knowledge and practice regarding infant health care among mothers. Materials and Methods: A descriptive study design was carried out with the sample of 280 mothers having less than 12 months old Child interviewed in Four Wards of Dasharathchand Municipality Baitadi district. Chi-square test was used to find out the significance of Infants Health care, its knowledge and practice. Result: Respondents were highly aware for the interval of exclusive breastfeeding 43.6%, colostrums feeding 71.1%, Approximately half of respondents 45.7% had knowledge regarding umbilicus cord care practice, approximately 60% respondents initiate breastfeeding within one hour after birth, 58.9% respondents had given first bath after 24 hours of birth, more than 42.9% mother give other food item than breast milk under six months and 99.3% babies was found fully immunized. Conclusion: study findings conclude that there was a significant gap between knowledge and practice on infants health care.