Abstract
BackgroundEarly initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF) reduces the risk of neonatal mortality. Previous studies from India have documented some factors associated with EIBF. However, those studies used data with limited sample size that potentially affect the application of the evidence. Additionally, the effectiveness of national breastfeeding programmes requires up-to-date analysis of new and robust EIBF data. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence and determinants of EIBF in India and determine to what extent these factors differ by a mother’s residence in the rural or urban area.MethodsThis study used information from a total weighted sample of 94,401 mothers from the 2015–2016 India National Family Health Survey. Multivariate logistic regression was used to investigate the association between the study factors and EIBF in India and rural-urban populations, after adjusting for confounders and sampling weight.ResultsOur analysis indicated that 41.5% (95% confidence interval (CI): 40.9–42.5, P < 0.001) of Indian mothers initiated breastfeeding within 1-h post-birth, with similar but significant different proportions estimated for those who resided in rural (41.0, 95% CI: 40.3–41.6, P < 0.001) and urban (42.9, 95% CI: 41.7–44.2, P < 0.001) areas. Mothers who had frequent health service contacts and those with higher educational attainment reported higher EIBF practice. Multivariate analyses revealed that higher educational achievement, frequent antenatal care visits and birthing in a health facility were associated with EIBF in India and rural populations (only health facility birthing for urban mothers). Similarly, residing in the North-Eastern, Southern, Eastern and Western regions were also associated with EIBF. Birthing through caesarean, receiving delivery assistance from non-health professionals and residing in rural areas of the Central region were associated with delayed EIBF in all populations.ConclusionWe estimated that more than half of Indian mothers delayed breastfeeding initiation, with different rural-urban prevalence. Key modifiable factors (higher maternal education and frequent health service contacts) were associated with EIBF in India, with notable difference in rural-urban populations. Our study suggests that targeted and well-coordinated infant feeding policies and interventions will improve EIBF for all Indian mothers.
Highlights
Initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF) reduces the risk of neonatal mortality
Prevalence of Early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF) in the study population The proportion of mothers who initiated breastfeeding within the first hour of birth for children aged 0–23 months was 41.5% [95% confidence interval (CI): 40.9– 42.5, P < 0.001] in the total population [Table 1]
This proportion was almost similar to mothers who resided in both rural (41.0%) and urban (42.9%) areas, with substantial difference among mothers who resided in urban areas compared to those who lived in rural areas of India
Summary
Initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF) reduces the risk of neonatal mortality. Previous studies from India have documented some factors associated with EIBF. Initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF, defined as the provision of only breast milk to the newborn within the first hour of birth) has been well-documented to reduce the risk of neonatal mortality [1,2,3,4]. A previous national study based on the 2005–2006 India National Family Health Survey (NFHS-3) [19] has elucidated factors associated with delayed EIBF in India These attributes included caesarean delivery and living in the Central region. Health facility birthing, listening to the radio, frequent antenatal visits and living in the Northeastern, Southern or Western region were associated with increased likelihood of EBIF in India [19] Findings from these studies may not provide a current evidence base on EIBF in India. It is unclear whether EIBF behaviour has changed in the past decade because of the implementation of a number of maternal and child health (MCH) interventions (e.g. Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health [RMNCH+A] Strategy [20], National Rural Health Mission, NRHM [21] and National Urban Health Mission under the National Health Mission [22]) and sample size differences
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