Metrics details. Knowledge of the prevailing infant care practices and their effects is important to inform practice and public programs. Infant massage is a traditional practice in India but remains less studied.
This study was conducted to study the prevalence and perceptions of infant massage practices in two states of India. Infant massage was a prevalent practice Infant oil massage is a highly prevalent traditional practice in MH and MP. Clear guidance on the use of massage, choice of oil, and techniques for application is required to optimize benefits and minimize risks of this popular traditional practice.
Peer Review reports. Newborn, infant and child health is a high priority area for sustainable development. Mortality indicators are improving globally. Despite this global progress, an estimated 5. Infant mortality in these regions is about 17 times higher than in developed regions [ 1 ]. Inequalities prevail within regions and between socioeconomic classes in the regions [ 2 ].
Global efforts to improve newborn and child health outcomes include interventions across the continuum of care such as prenatal care, skilled care at birth, immediate newborn care, and post-partum maternal and newborn care. Literature suggests the need to study and adapt interventions that are culturally acceptable, including community-based interventions [ 3 , 4 ].
Infant care practices tend to be region- and culture-specific and influence child health outcomes. Cultural practices are sometimes beneficial and sometimes harmful, and for some there exists no clear evidence of benefit or harm.
