To compare the feeding practice of mothers in urban and rural areas, 158 mothers in
Taegu city and 110 mothers in two Myuns(Bian and Ahngye) in Esung County who have a child of age between 6 and 24 months were randomly selected and interviewed in April 1-30, 1988.
Breast-feeding rates (included breast feeding mixed with bottle feeding) by the life table -analysis were 72.2% at 6 months of age, 58.4°o at 9 months and 43.8% at 12 months in urban area and the rates in rural areas were 84.5%, 58.01o and 46.6%, respectively. Mothers in urban area fed´ the infant on demand in 81.0% and squeezed out the remaining milk after each feeding in 33.8io and the percentages for mothers in rural area were .82.8% and 39.8%, respectively. Among mothers who ever had breast fed, 54.9% in urban area and 47.3% in rural area experienced shortage of breast milk and 75,-3% of these mothers in urban area and 72.7$0 in rural area had switched to bottle feeding without making any effort to continue breast feeding. The percentage of mothers who believe that breast milk is better than formula for the health of infant was 90.5% in urban area and 84.5% in rural area while 58!.296´ of mothers in urban area and 46.4% of mothers in rural area believe that breastfeeding is better than bottle-feeding for-the health of mother herself. However, there was 1io significant association between the mother´s opinion on infant feeding and feeding practice.
Although the percentage of mothers who believe that breast milk is better than formula for the health of infant was increased compared with previous report, breast-feeding rate was decreased further. It is necessary to strengthen the health education to promote breast-feeding.
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