Large ethnic variations in infant and young child feeding practices: an example from Vietnamese mothers (380.7)

Abstract

In Viet Nam, 53 ethnic minority groups account for about 15% of the population; and stunting rates are observed to be higher amongst these ethnic groups compared to the majority Kinh population. This study is among the first to explore the ethnic variation in breastfeeding (BF) and complementary feeding (CF) practices in mothers with children < 24 months old in Viet Nam. We interviewed 1900 women as follows: Kinh (53%), E De‐Mnong (18%), Thai‐Muong (16%) and Tay‐Nung (12%). The practice of giving prelacteals was high (> 80%) in all ethnicities. Typical prelacteals included water (~50%) and infant formula (~50%). In addition, chewed rice was given by Thai Muong (44%) and honey by Tay‐Nung (38%). The exclusive BF rate was low across all ethnicities (4‐33%) with water being the main barrier. However, among the Thai Muong, chewed rice was the main barrier to exclusive BF. Fewer ethnic minority children received minimum acceptable diets (33‐52%) than the main ethnic group, the Kinh (75%). This was the result of low dietary diversity and meal frequency in Thai‐Muong, low minimum dietary diversity in E De‐Mnong, and short duration of BF and low consumption of other milk or dairy products in Tay‐Nung. Breastfeeding practices appear to be poor among all ethnicities; however, for ethnic minority groups, a greater emphasis needs to be placed on improving complementary feeding practices.Grant Funding Source: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, through Alive & Thrive Initiative, managed by FHI360