Health related practices of mothers for their infants enrolled in 'Growth and Development Clinic' in an Urban Slum

Background: The poor environmental conditions in urban area are major cause of morbidities in infant group. Many studies reported decline in morbidities in infants due to healthy practices by the mother and have emphasized the importance of exploring the same. 3 Growth & Development Clinic (GD Clinic) at Urban health Centre (UHC), Dharavi, Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College and General Hospital (LTMMC & GH), Sion provides Preventive, Promotive and Curative services to under-five Children and their mothers. The mothers are given health education regarding Breastfeeding, Complementary feeding, Hygiene, Immunization, danger signs of various illnesses, Contraception, etc. Thus Growth and Development (GD) clinic at Dharavi plays major role in educating mothers the healthy practices for their infant. Hence, it was decided to conduct study on health related practices of mothers attending Urban Health Centre. Objectives: 1) To find the socio-demographic factors that influence mothers to enrol their infants in Growth and Development clinic. 2) To study effect of services offered at GD Clinic on practices by mothers for their infants like feeding, immunization and regular weight checkup etc. 3) To find association between GD clinic utilization by mothers and health status of infants. Material & Methods: Study design: Observational health centre based study. Study area: Urban Health Centre, Dharavi, LTMMC &GH, Sion. Study tools: A pre-designed pretested semi structured proforma, weighing machine, measuring tape, WHO Growth chart and Immunization card. Sample size: A total of 95 Mothers of children below one year of age.Mothers of all infants who availed GD services in study duration were 45.The mothers who availed other services but not GD clinic at UHC were 50. Study Duration: September to November 2010. Results: The socioeconomic status and age of an infant were found to have significant influence on enrollment of infants in GD clinic. The mothers utilizing GD clinic had better health practices related to feeding, immunization etc as compared to the mothers not utilizing GD clinic. The present study finds significant association between utilization of GD clinic and health status of infants.