Abstract:
The study was done in two phases. In phase one, a tool was prepared by adapting Ruel and
Manon tool, which was utilized in the Ethiopian and Latin American countries to assess
complementary feeding practices composite Index taking into consideration of the
Srilankan context and guidelines. Sub indices were also calculated for breast feeding, bottle
feeding, food diversity, food frequency, and frequency of solid and semisolid feedings
between the ages of 6-9 months.In the second phase, a cross sectional descriptive
community level survey and anthropometric measurement were carried out in 423 randomly
selected infants aged 6-9 months in the Trincomalee MOH area. Complementary feeding
practices were assessed by using the tool adapted. Socio demographic factors, knowledge on
complementary feeding and service provisions of the area were assessed by using a
interviewer administered questionnaire. The Z score of anthropometric measurements of
weight and length were taken promptly according to the WHO standard and Weight for
length, Weight for age, Length of age and Body Mass Index for age were calculated. Study
population consisted mainly of Tamil (78.5 percent) followed b Moors (13.7 percent and
Sinhalese 7.3 percent). Among them Sinhalese ethnic group had higher overall
satisfactorycomplementary feeding composite index, compare to the other two ethnic groups
and the difference was statistically significant (p0.05). The breastfeeding index, higher
proportion of the\ Muslim had satisfactory index than other two communities but the
difference observed was not statistically significant (p=o.258 and 0.1 respectively ). Non
working mothers had a higher level of food frequency and the breast feeding index. The
difference observed for the breast feeding was statistically significant p=0.000) but the
food frequency above the O/L and the educational level was significantly associated with
the composite index. Higher proportion of educated parents had satisfactory index
compared to the low educated parents (p=0.000).
