Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices among Mothers in Lahore, Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Inadequate child feeding practices lead to malnutrition, higher under-five mortality rates and adverse effects on quality of life. This study aimed to assess the breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices of mothers as well as the influence of various sociodemographic factors on them in local families of Lahore. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, descriptive study. It was conducted in CMH (Combined Military Hospital), Lahore in 2018. It comprises a sample of 203 mothers with children of at least two years of age, from various urban areas of Lahore. The subjects were selected on the basis of the inclusion criteria. Mothers with psychiatric illnesses and children with congenital anomalies were excluded from the study. Mothers were approached in the paediatric outpatient departments of four tertiary care hospitals of Lahore. Responses were recorded using a modified version of the Action Contre La Faim (ACF) questionnaire. Independent sample t-test and chi-square test were applied for analysis of the data. Results: Early initiation of breastfeeding within one hour from birth was observed in 83.3% children. Most children were administered colostrum (69.5%). The rate of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months was 45.3%.  A child was being breastfed 8.21 ± 6.67 (mean ± SD) times a day. Maternal educational status, total number of adults in a household, and access to free healthcare were identified as important factors influencing the practice of breastfeeding. Porridge, khichdi, eggs, fruit and yoghurt were the most frequently used complementary foods. Conclusions: A high rate of an early start of breastfeeding and a low rate of exclusive breastfeeding for at least six months were predominant in our population. Administration of colostrum was observed in approximately two-thirds of the study participants. Education of the mother, type of the family system (nuclear or combined), and access to free healthcare strongly influence the breastfeeding practices.

Investigating, The Role of Securities& Exchange Commission of Pakistan from Investor’s Perspective in Stock Markets.

SECP was created to succeed the Corporate Law Authority, which was an attached Department of the Ministry of Finance. The process of restructuring the Authority was initiated in 1997 under the Capital Market Development Plan of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan Act was passed by the Parliament and promulgated in Dec. 1997. In pursuance of this Act, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, having autonomous status, became operational on Jan. 1 1999. The Act gave the organization the administrative authority and financial independence to carry out the reform program of Pakistan's capital market with the assistance of the ADB. Powers of the Commission have been delegated to the individual Commissioners and Appellate Benches, as envisaged in the Act. There is great work done on performance of stock markets around the globe and also some work done on regularity impact but there is no concrete work done in Pakistan to investigate the role of SECP from investors' perspective in stock markets. There is also no methodology to check the performance of regulator except IOSCO methodology in which by using qualitative approach stake holders' opinion through questionnaires and interviews can be ascertained. So the researcher got the stake holders' opinion/view through questionnaires and discussion while getting the questionnaire filled. There were 40 questions and all questions were close ended to investigate the role of Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan from investors' perspective in Stock Market. These questionnaires were got filled from all four stake holders to know the point of view of investor, broker, agent and regulator as well. Every question was analyzed in depth, every question was analyzed stake holder wise, city wise and answer wise along with percentage of every section. The research found that SECP is playing very positive role in stock market not only from investors' perspective but also from government point of view. Since the SECP came into action there is remarkable time decrease in registration of company, it was very good feeling to know that 100% of all stake holders replied that SECP officials never asked them for any type of gift/bribe or any other favor. SECP has open door policy and any complainant can come and can lodge complaint against any person. SECP has a number of qualified individuals on its payroll who are being paid market based salaries and are fully equipped to monitor stock markets on daily basis. During discussion with people while getting the questionnaire filled it was found that most of the investors don't know their rights and duties as an investor and that is the major cause of their loss if any in stock markets. Investors don't inquire completely before investing in a particular stock/security. Most of the people have never seen the audited financial statements of the company in which they are going to invest, they simply try their luck and want to make hay while the sun shines.