Shahid Mahmood, Mohammad Fayyaz Atif, Naira Bang.
Effect of Literacy in Selection of food by the Lactating Mothers.
Pak J Health Jan ;35(3-4):103-5.

Differences in nutritional knowledge and dietary practices of 100 lactating mothers (50 urban and 50 rural) were assessed to see the effects of literacy in selection of foods. Majority (81%) of the mothers were illiterate. 91% of illiterate and 89% of the literate mothers had the opinion of taking different diet during lactation but only 68% and 37% respectively had practically changed the diet by increasing the intake. For the development of these nutritional knowledges and practices, illiterate mothers were more influenced by others (husband, mother, mother-in-law, lady health visitor, dais, etc., 21.53%) as compare to literate mothers (5-21%). More of illiterate mothers (82%) as compare to literate (62%) had blamed the poor economy as the cause for not being able to eat some desired food items. Surprisingly nutritional knowledge is almost same in both groups, but there is some difference in practices. It is felt that more applied aspects of nutrition should be included in the syllabi of formal education particularly for female students and paramedics. More use Informal education methods should be made.

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