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. 1991 Jun;9(1-2):25-41.

Breast-feeding in eastern Uttar Pradesh, India: differentials and determinants

S Mukherjee, K K Singh, B N Bhattacharya
  • PMID: 12287690

Breast-feeding in eastern Uttar Pradesh, India: differentials and determinants

S Mukherjee et al. Janasamkhya. 1991 Jun.

Abstract

PIP: In India, interviews with currently married women in 4448 households in rural areas of Varanasi, Ghazipur, and Azamgarh districts in Eastern Uttar Pradesh were conducted so researchers could examine differentials in breast feeding among the various socioeconomic groups and the determinants of breast feeding. Around 66% of all women continued to breast feed during the second year of life for the index child. More than 25% continued to breast feed for more than three years. Among Hindus, sons were breast fed three months longer and two months longer than daughters in upper and remaining caste groups, respectively. This difference was significant. Hindu women breast fed their children longer than did Muslim women. Among Hindus, upper caste, high social status, and high educational levels increased the likelihood of early weaning. Among the scheduled castes, mothers aged at least 25, low social status, and husbands working as laborers in the nonagricultural sector, breast fed for shorter duration than their counterparts. As maternal age increased so did the likelihood of breast feeding. For example, mothers aged 35-49 breast fed, on average, 10 months longer than did mothers aged less than 25.

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