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Abstract

Abstract


Objective: To compare the frequency of hospitalization during the first six months of life between breast-fed and bottle-fed infants. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted over twelve months, in hospital-based outpatient clinics. Mother-infant pairs, seen at the clinics during the study period, were enrolled. Infants were between the ages of 6-24 months and had been brought for routine check-ups, vaccinations or common childhood ailments. Subjects were recruited from babies with no congenital anomalies or chronic illnesses. Study team recorded necessary information about feeding practices, previous illnesses and hospitalizations on a structured questionnaire. Hospitalization rates in 3 groups of infants with different feeding methods i.e. predominant breast-feeding, partial breast-feeding, and bottle-feeding were compared. Results were analyzed using SPSS software, ANOVA was used for comparison of means between groups, and a p-value