"Breast-feeding and Sexual Abstinence in Papua New Guinea"

Abstract

The practice of breastfeeding and sexual abstinence in Papua New Guinea (PNG) does not vary markedly between rural and urban areas. Data are drawn from a study of fertility mortality and contraception among the indigenous population of Papua New Guinea conducted between November 1979 and March 1980 in 8 provinces in both rural and urban areas. The sample is made up of 6283 respondents regardless of their marital status: 3986 females in the childbearing age group (15-49 years) and 2297 males between the ages of 20-54 years. 1066 males and 1857 females lived in rural areas; 1231 males and 2129 females lived in urban areas. More than 90% of the rural and urban males believe that breastfeeding is nutritious for children. The mean period of breast feeding for the rural mothers is 21.8 months and 20.7 months for the urban mother. The literacy levels of both the rural and urban respondents is rather low but the urban female respondents have a higher % of secondary education than their rural counterparts. Breastfeeding must fit in with the mothers lifestyle and work. The current rural-urban migraton patterns are given. 33.9% of the males and 28.7% of the females in urban areas were born in rural areas. The rural-born urban mothers breastfeed slightly less than rural mothers (21.4 and 21.8 months respectively). An increasing number of women are going to the hospital to have their babies. Respondents were asked if they thought that a couple should go without sexual relations after a child is born and for how long. About 63% of the rural males and 67% of the rural females responded affirmatively: approximately 34% of the rural males and 29% of the rural females responded negatively. 66% of urban males and 74% of females responding affirmatively; negative were 31% male and 22% female respondents. The duration of expected abstinence ranges from 1-36 months.