Prevalence Of Exclusive Breastfeeding Research Articles

Demystifying Barriers to and Drivers of Exclusive Breastfeeding Practice – A Cross-Sectional Study Among Mothers & Caregivers of Children Under 5 in Kaduna State, Nigeria.

This study presents findings from a cross-sectional survey conducted among mothers and caregivers of children under 5 in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Out of the 1647 collected questionnaires, 77.5% were validated for analysis. Results reveal that 53.3% of the women were aged 20-29 years, with older adolescent mothers (18-19 years) comprising 7.8%. The majority were married (97.8%), and over two-thirds had at least primary education (69.5%). While 54.5% identified as housewives, 28.7% engaged in petty trading, and 12.3% pursued farming full-time. Table 2 in the appendix indicates good knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) practices, with 88.4% knowing breastfeeding should start immediately after birth. However, EBF prevalence was only 33.3%, higher among women with more than secondary education (43.2%) and those aged 20-29 years (35.4%). Positive perceptions toward EBF were evident, but misconceptions persisted, impacting practice. Social norms influenced some contradictory behaviors, such as early introduction of water (51%).

IJCM_96A: Assessment of infant and young child feeding practices among Mothers attending maternal and child health clinic in Gulbarga Institute of medical Sciences, Kalaburagi - A Cross-sectional study

Background: Infant and young child feeding is the foundation for a child’s growth and development. Over a third of the undernourished children in the world live in India. A thorough comparison between NFHS 5 and its previous report suggests that, exclusive breast-feeding among infants under 6 months of age in Kalaburagi has decreased to 45.1% from 52%, which is concerning. Furthermore, the total number of children aged 6 to 24 months receiving an adequate diet is mere 15.4%. Despite strong data supporting the advantages of breast-feeding, the rate of breast-feeding is not high enough, indicating significant gaps that require identification and attention. Objectives: (1) To assess infant and young child feeding practices among mothers attending MCH clinic. (2) To determine the morbidities associated with feeding practices. Methodology: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 mothers (by considering the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding as 45.1%) of children aged 0-24 months attending the MCH clinic at Gulbarga Institute of Medical Sciences using convenience sampling technique for a period of 2 months i.e., October and November 2023. Data was collected by using the WHO IYCF practices indicators questionnaire followed by interpretation in the MS Excel sheet. Data analysis will be done by using SPSS software (version 16). The results will be expressed in terms of percentages, tables and graphs using appropriate statistical tests. Results: The overall prevalence of early (within 1 h of delivery) initiation of breastfeeding was found to be 57.75%, and that of exclusive breastfeeding among 0-6 months infants was 49%. 64% of children received continued breastfeeding at one year old, Minimum dietary diversity, Minimum meal frequency, and Minimum acceptable diet were achieved by only 28.6%, 13.20%, 13.2%. Statistically significant association between exclusive breast feeding and diarrhoea(p=<0.0001) and ARTI(p=0.0001),Bottle feeding and Diarrhoea(p=<0.0008) and ARTI(<0.05), Minimum dietary diversity and Diarrhoea(p=0.02) were found. Conclusion: Poor feeding practices among children were found to have significant association with diarrhoea and ARTI. The factors influencing IYCF practices are multifaceted, hence appropriate measures must be taken at earliest.

Late Preterm Newborns: Breastfeeding and Complementary Feeding Practices.

The aim of this study is to identify factors associated with successful breastfeeding in late preterm infants (LPIs) and explore the initiation of complementary feeding; Methods: Prospective cohort study was conducted of infants born at 34+0 to 36+6 weeks gestational age in the Hospital of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Kaunas Clinics during 2020-2021. Families were followed up until the infants reached 12 months of age. Average breastfeeding initial time, average breastfeeding duration time, prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding and average solid-food feeding initiation time were examined. The correlations among factors that might affect breastfeeding rates were calculated using the chi-square test (p < 0.05); Results: In our study with 222 eligible participants, we observed a statistically significant delay in breastfeeding initiation only in the 34+0+6 gestational age group (p < 0.001). At discharge, the 36+0+6 group exhibited a significantly higher exclusive breastfeeding rate (p < 0.001). Over the first year, breastfeeding rates varied, with no correlation found between duration of exclusive breastfeeding and gestational age. Initial solid-food feeding times were similar across groups, and all infants were introduced to vegetables first; Conclusions: Vaginal delivery, skin-to-skin contact after birth, early rooming-in, and breastfeeding within 2 h after birth statistically significantly causes earlier breastfeeding initiation and longer duration of breastfeeding in LPIs. All infants began solid-food feeding at an average age of 5 months, with vegetables being the primary food choice.

Determinants and Prevalence of Exclusive Breastfeeding Among Thai Muslim Mothers: A Cross-sectional Analysis

Exclusive breastfeeding is pivotal for the health and development of infants and offers numerous benefits to mothers. However, unique cultural beliefs and practices, particularly among Muslim communities, can significantly influence breastfeeding behaviors. This study sought to elucidate the factors influencing exclusive breastfeeding among Thai Muslim mothers. The sample was 168 postpartum Muslim mothers from well-baby clinics in southern Thailand, selected through multi-stage random sampling. Data were collected from June to December 2022 employing the Demographic Data Form, Infant Feeding Intentions Scale, Breastfeeding Knowledge Questionnaire, Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale, Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale -Short Form, Maternal Health Literacy Scale, Islamic Belief Scale, Exclusive Breastfeeding Social Support, and Breastfeeding Practices Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Spearman rank’s correlation, and binary logistic regression analysis. The study found that the rate of exclusive breastfeeding among Thai Muslim mothers at six months postpartum was 54.8%. Notably, breastfeeding self-efficacy emerged as the sole predictor of exclusive breastfeeding, accounting for 11% of the variance in this practice. These findings underscore the critical role of breastfeeding self-efficacy in promoting exclusive breastfeeding. It is recommended that nurses and healthcare professionals develop culturally tailored support programs that enhance breastfeeding self-efficacy, aligned with Islamic beliefs, to improve breastfeeding practices among Muslim mothers.

Enhanced Recovery After Caesarean Surgery (ERACS) versus Non-ERACS Delivery: A Comparative Study on the Effectiveness of Exclusive and Early Initiation of Breastfeeding

Background: Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for up to 6 months postpartum provides numerous benefits to both mother and child. Despite these advantages and the recommendation for EBF during the first 6 months postpartum, the global prevalence of EBF is on the decline. The method of delivery is one of the many factors that influence EBF rates. Enhanced Recovery After Cesarean Section (ERACS) has been shown to improve breastfeeding rates in comparison to the standard Cesarean section. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between ERACS and non-ERACS delivery methods with EBF and the early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF). Methods: This cross-sectional study involved a minimum of 96 subjects for each category. Non-ERACS delivery was categorized into vaginal delivery and standard Cesarean section. The success rates of EBF at 0, 1, 3, and 6 months were evaluated using an exclusive breastfeeding questionnaire, which demonstrated a Cronbach's Alpha of 0.931, indicating a high level of reliability (≥ 0.60). The association between the variables was analyzed using the chi-square test. Results: The study identified a significant association between the method of delivery and EBF (P = 0.036), with vaginal delivery having a Relative Risk (RR) of 1.286 (0.858 - 1.927) and standard Cesarean section an RR of 1.679 (1.156 - 2.437) for not engaging in EBF for 6 months in comparison to ERACS. Furthermore, a significant association was observed between delivery methods and EIBF (P &lt; 0.001), with an RR of 1.190 (0.717 - 1.967) for vaginal delivery and an RR of 2.667 (1.762 - 4.035) for standard Cesarean section for not initiating breastfeeding early compared to ERACS. Conclusions: There is a significant association between ERACS and non-ERACS delivery methods with both EBF and EIBF. Both vaginal delivery and standard Cesarean section are associated with a higher risk of not engaging in exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months and not initiating breastfeeding early, compared to ERACS.

Infant feeding practices and associated factors among HIV-positive mothers of infants aged 0–6 months at public health facilities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

BackgroundIn the era of HIV infection, exclusive breast-feeding highly recommended for infants aged less than 6 months. Avoidance of exclusive breast-feeding by HIV-infected mothers recommended when replacement feeding is acceptable, feasible, affordable, sustainable and safe. The prevalence of exclusive breast-feeding has remained very low worldwide. Despite this fact, there is limited information on infant feeding practices of HIV-positive mothers and factors that affect the practice in the current study area.ObjectiveThis study assessed the magnitude of infant feeding practice and associated factors among HIV-positive mothers of infants aged 0–6 months at public health facilities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.MethodsA multicenter facility-based cross-sectional study design was employed among a total of 397 study participants. The study participants were selected using a simple random sampling technique. The completeness of the data was checked, coded, cleaned and entered into Epi-data version 4.6 software, and exported to SPSS version 24 for analysis. Descriptive statistics and Binary logistic regression model were employed for the analysis with adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% CI and a P value ≤ 0.05 to determine the strength of association between infant feeding practice and its independent factors.ResultsThe overall magnitude of appropriate infant feeding practice among HIV-positive mothers was 82.6% (95% CI 80.9–88.2). Good knowledge of mother’s toward infant feeding (AOR: 1.26, 95%, CI 1.11–3.34), better household monthly income, ≥ 6001 Ethiopian birr (AOR: 1.62, 95% CI 1.33–5.14) and favorable attitude of mother’s toward infant feeding (AOR: 1.71, 95% CI 1.01–2.92) were statistically significant associated factors with the recommended way of infant feeding practice.Conclusions and recommendationsHence, the current study area is the capital city of the Ethiopia, where a relatively educated population lived in, there was an opportunity for better income, and appropriate infant feeding practice among HIV-positive mothers was found slightly higher than even the overall national target (70%) that was planned by 2020. Therefore, different stakeholders should develop strategic plan to excel females’ education coverage and thereby their knowledge and attitude toward infant feeding to fully eradicate mother-to-child transmission of diseases.

Determinants of Exclusive Breastfeeding Among Mothers of Infants Less Than Six Months of Age in Mogadishu: A Facility-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Background Breastfeeding is a vital practice for infant health and well-being, with exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) during the first six months being particularly crucial. Despite its benefits, EBF is sub-optimally practiced in many low-to-middle income countries. This study focuses on Somalia, a country with historical political instability and poor health indicators, aiming to identify the prevalence and determinants of exclusive breastfeeding among women with infants under six months attending SOS Mother and Child Hospital in Mogadishu. Methods A hospital-based cross-sectional design was used, and data were collected through a structured questionnaire. The study sample consisted of 345 mothers, selected using a systematic sampling technique. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were conducted to assess breastfeeding practices and determine factors influencing exclusive breastfeeding prevalence. Result The study found that the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding among the study population in Somalia was 44%, influenced by factors such as maternal education, employment, and utilization of antenatal and postnatal care services. Male infants and younger infants had higher odds of being exclusively breastfed. Conclusion and recommendations The study emphasizes the importance of promoting exclusive breastfeeding as the optimal feeding practice for infants in Somalia, highlighting the need for comprehensive health education during antenatal care visits and postnatal counseling. It recommends the development of supportive policies, such as maternity leave and workplace accommodations, along with community-based initiatives and support groups to facilitate and encourage exclusive breastfeeding practices.

Rate of Exclusive Breastfeeding Among Postpartum Mothers at Hoima Regional Referral Hospital's Postnatal Clinic

Despite active promotion, Uganda reports that 36% of children under 6 months are not exclusively breastfed, impacting infant health. This study focuses on 428 interviews within the Kampala district's informal sector, aiming to understand exclusive breastfeeding practices among mothers with infants aged 0–5 months. Results indicated a 41.1% prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding. Factors linked to this practice included attending antenatal care at least four times, intending to breastfeed exclusively for six months or more, adopting proper breastfeeding techniques, and the age of the infant. Notably, working in lower positions was associated with a lower likelihood of exclusive breastfeeding. Recommendations emphasize the importance of antenatal care in educating mothers about exclusive breastfeeding's advantages, enabling informed decisions. Additionally, enforcing maternity leave benefits outlined in Uganda's Employment Act within the informal sector can support women in practicing exclusive breastfeeding. Keywords: Exclusive breastfeeding, Children below 6 months, Antenatal care, Maternity leave

Effect of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on Oxytocin Levels and Stress in Breastfeeding Mothers

The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding in various cities of Bangka Belitung Province varies, where in 2018 from January to June, the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding in Bangka Belitung Islands Province was relatively low (57.6%). The problem of milk production is influenced by the reduced stimulation of oxytocin hormone. One of the non-pharmacological therapies that can be done is relaxation by doing Mindfulness therapy. The aim was to determine the effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on oxytocin levels and stress in breastfeeding mothers for 2 weeks consisting of 8 sessions in 3 meetings. The research method used was quantitative with a quasi experimental research design (pretest-posttest control group design). Penelitian ini dilakukan at Regional General Hospital Dr. (HC) Ir. Soekarno, Bangka Belitung Province in 2023. Dilaksanakan pada bulan Januari sampai dengan Maret 2023. The population in this study were breastfeeding mothers at Regional General Hospital Dr. (HC) Ir. Soekarno, Bangka Belitung Province with a sample of 36 using purposive sampling technique. Data were collected using a questionnaire. Data analysis was univariate and bivariate dengan uji t-test and Mann Whitney test . The results of mindfulness-based stress reduction increased oxytocin hormone levels in breastfeeding mothers for 2 weeks consisting of 8 sessions in 3 meetings lasting 150 minutes per meeting and mindfulness-based stress reduction decreased stress scores in breastfeeding mothers for 2 weeks consisting of 8 sessions in 3 meetings lasting 150 minutes per meeting. It is recommended that midwives provide information about Mindfulness therapy to increase the hormone oxytocin in breastfeeding mothers and can play an active role in overcoming the problems of breastfeeding mothers who experience anxiety or worry about producing breast milk and breastfeeding babies.

Determinants of Exclusive Breastfeeding Rate in Central Region of Ghana Health

The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) has recently garnered significant attention from public health experts. Recognised as a cost-effective strategy, EBF significantly enhances the well-being of both mothers and infants. This study investigates the factors influencing exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) practices in Ghana's Central Region, with a focus on the role of socio-demographic characteristics. The study used a cross-sectional study design and a structured questionnaire to collect data from 358 breastfeeding mothers across 15 health centres in the Central Region of Ghana. The findings reveal a weak but statistically significant correlation between socio-demographic characteristics and EBF practices (Pearson correlation r = 0.179, P = 0.001), indicating that factors such as maternal age, education, marital status, and number of births modestly influence EBF practices. Similarly, a weak negative correlation was observed between socio-demographic factors and current breastfeeding rates (Pearson correlation = 0.105 r = 0.105, P = 0.048), suggesting some level of impact by these variables. However, the relationship between working status and breastfeeding practices was found to be non-significant (Pearson correlation = 0.011, r = 0.011, P = 0.181). Based on these findings, the study recommends tailored public health interventions that address specific demographic characteristics, enhanced awareness and education on EBF, the development of breastfeeding-friendly workplace policies, and further research utilising qualitative methods to better understand the complexities of breastfeeding behavior.

Sociodemographic and health-related factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding in 77 districts of Uganda

BackgroundUganda surpasses many African nations and the global average in exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) rates. Yet, malnutrition is a critical issue, with stunting impacting roughly 29% of children under 5 years. Enhancing EBF could mitigate such nutritional challenges. This study focused on determining the current EBF prevalence and identifying associated factors across 77 surveyed districts.MethodsPooled data from the Lot Quality Assurance Sampling (LQAS) surveys conducted in 77 districts in Uganda during 2021 and 2022 were analyzed. The analysis involved 7,210 mothers of children under 6 months, EBF was considered as the proportion of infants who received breast milk only in the 24 hours before the survey. A mother practicing EBF was (1) currently breastfeeding (2) had not started giving foods other than breastmilk (3) had not given any other probed liquids or (4) semi-solid foods the previous day or night. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with EBF, presenting adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals at a 5% significance level.ResultsThe prevalence of EBF was 62.3%. In the adjusted analysis, EBF was more common among older mothers 20–24 years, 25–29 years and 30 + years (aOR 1.4; 95% CI 1.2,1.6), (aOR 1.4; 95% CI 1.1, 1.6) and (aOR 1.3; 95% CI 1.1, 1.5) respectively compared to teenage mothers. Also, EBF was more likely among mothers who lived in rural areas compared to urban areas (aOR 1.1; 95% CI 1.0, 1.3) and those who attended antenatal care (ANC) (aOR 2.2; 95% CI 1.5, 3.1). On the contrary, EBF was less common for children aged 3–5 months compared to younger (aOR 0.5; 95% CI 0.5, 0.6) and children who had received Vitamin A supplementation (aOR 0.7; 95% 0.6, 0.8).ConclusionThe study suggests that most districts in Uganda might not have made significant strides in improving EBF rates over the last twenty years, pointing to possible ongoing hurdles that need urgent attention. Particularly, there’s a pressing need to focus on teenage mothers. Maintaining and strengthening programs that advocate EBF, such as ANC, is crucial to bridge the gaps and bring about more equitable rates among different groups.

Challenging the utility of 24-hour recall of exclusive breast feeding in Japan

IntroductionWHO recommends exclusive breast feeding from birth to 6 months. However, to monitor populations, it recommends using the proportion of infants under 6 months who were exclusively breastfed during the...

“Mother's milk”: Is there a social reversal in breastfeeding practices along with economic development?

Previous studies suggest that macro- and micro-level factors jointly influence breastfeeding (BF) practices, but empirical evidence on the dynamics of such interactions along with the process of a country's economic development remains limited. Based on 42 Demographic Health Surveys (DHS) conducted in 15 Asian countries with a large time window (1990–2017), we thus test the existence of a reversal in the association between household wealth and BF practices throughout the development process. Four BF indicators (early initiation of BF, exclusive BF, continued BF at one year and two years) are examined, along with a standardized asset-based household wealth index allowing for cross-wave and cross-country comparisons. To highlight the dynamics of the wealth-BF association, we carry out econometric estimations, including interaction terms between household wealth and the country's level of economic development (low, medium, and high) or time. Instrumental variable estimations are also performed to limit suspected endogeneity issues. Our results confirm a transition in the wealth gradient of exclusive BF and continued BF in Asian countries. More precisely, while these practices are pro-poor in the poorest countries of the sample, they progressively spread to wealthier households along with the level of economic development. For exclusive BF, this transition has resulted in a reversal of the wealth gradient at the end of the period (i.e., exclusive BF prevalence among the rich overpassing that of the poor). We fail, however, to observe this kind of transition for early initiation of BF, this practice remaining pro-poor, whatever the level of economic development. To sum up, our results provide robust evidence of a transition in the wealth gradient of some BF practices along with economic development and time, and thus largely echo the literature exploring the social reversal hypothesis in the case of non-communicable diseases.

Adherence to Infant Feeding Guidelines in the First Foods New Zealand Study.

Infant feeding guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations to support optimal infant health, growth, and development, and exploring adherence to guidelines is a useful way of assessing diet quality. The aim of this study was to determine adherence to the recently updated Ministry of Health "Healthy Eating Guidelines for New Zealand Babies and Toddlers (0-2 years old)". Data were obtained from First Foods New Zealand, a multicentre observational study of 625 infants aged 7.0-10.0 months. Caregivers completed two 24-h diet recalls and a demographic and feeding questionnaire. Nearly all caregivers (97.9%) initiated breastfeeding, 37.8% exclusively breastfed to around six months of age, and 66.2% were currently breastfeeding (mean age 8.4 months). Most caregivers met recommendations for solid food introduction, including appropriate age (75.4%), iron-rich foods (88.3%), puréed textures (80.3%), and spoon-feeding (74.1%). Infants consumed vegetables (63.2%) and fruit (53.9%) more frequently than grain foods (49.5%), milk and milk products (38.6%), and meat and protein-rich foods (31.8%). Most caregivers avoided inappropriate beverages (93.9%) and adding salt (76.5%) and sugar (90.6%). Our findings indicated that while most infants met the recommendations for the introduction of appropriate solid foods, the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding could be improved, indicating that New Zealand families may need more support.

Prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding in the healthy newborn

Prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding in the healthy newborn

Barriers to exclusive breastfeeding in first 6 months of life in infants born in a tertiary care center in Hyderabad

Background: Exclusive breast feeding during first 6-months has been proven to ensure growth and development of children. The habit of Exclusive breast feeding is often overlooked by mothers due to various factors. Therefore, this study aims to identify the barriers to Exclusive Breast Feeding. Methods: This is a prospective study conducted from August 2018 to October 2020 in a tertiary care hospital in Hyderabad among 155 mothers with neonate to 6 months old infants. Data was collected through face-to-face interview using premade questionnaire and a predetermined sample size of 155 was considered. Results: The prevalence of exclusive breast feeding was 20%. The barriers to exclusive breastfeeding practice were identified as lower socio-economic status (59.4%), Lack of formal education (52.9%), lack of counselling about breast feeding (10.3%), early return to work (32.2%), poor family support (49.03%), 22-25years mean age group (36.7%) , use of bottle feeding (16.3%) and pacifiers (12.2%). It was also observed that mothers experienced difficulties such as cracks (2.58%) and suction problems (2.58%) currently, and breast pain (2.58%) previously. Conclusions: Promoting education of women especially in lower socio-economic sector and emphasizing need of avoiding complementary feeding rather counselling women regarding importance of exclusive breastfeeding during first 6-months and negative impact of early return to work, and providing health care for the difficulties faced during breastfeeding and encouraging family support are recommendations to improve exclusive breastfeeding practice.

Trends of Exclusive Breastfeeding Practices and Its Determinants in Tanzania from 1999 to 2016.

Introduction: The benefits of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) are widely reported. However, it is crucial to examine potential disparities in EBF practices across different regions of a country. Our study uses Tanzania demographic and health survey data to report on the trends of EBF across regions from 1999 to 2016, the patterns of the practice based on geographical location and socioeconomic status, and explores its determinants across the years. Methods: Descriptive statistics were used to establish the trends of EBF by geographical location and wealth quintile. A generalized linear mixed model was developed to incorporate both infant and maternal attributes as fixed covariates while considering enumeration areas and regions as clusters. The fitted model facilitated the estimation of EBF proportions at a regional level and identified key determinants influencing EBF practices across the survey periods. Moreover, we designed breastfeeding maps, visually depicting the performance of different regions throughout the surveys. Results: Across the various survey rounds, a notable regional variation in EBF practices was observed, with coastal regions generally exhibiting lower adherence to the practice. There was a linear trend between EBF and geographical residence (p < 0.05) and socioeconomic standing (p < 0.05) across the survey periods. Rural-dwelling women and those from the least affluent backgrounds consistently showcased a higher proportion of EBF. The prevalence of EBF declined as infants aged (p < 0.001), a trend consistent across all survey waves. The associations between maternal attributes and EBF practices displayed temporal variations. Furthermore, a correlation between exclusive breastfeeding and attributes linked to both regional disparities and enumeration areas was observed. The intra-cluster correlation ranged from 18% to 41.5% at the regional level and from 40% to 58.5% at the enumeration area level. Conclusions: While Tanzania's progress in EBF practices is laudable, regional disparities persist, demanding targeted interventions. Sustaining achievements while addressing wealth-based disparities and the decline in EBF with infant age is vital. The study highlights the need for broad national strategies and localized investigations to understand and enhance EBF practices across different regions and socioeconomic contexts.

Factors Associated with In-Hospital Exclusive Breastfeeding Among a Racially and Ethnically Diverse Patient Population.

Objective: The aim of this study is to examine in-hospital exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) and its association with sociodemographic factors, medical factors, breastfeeding intentions, and health care system breastfeeding support. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study using medical records from 2015 to 2019 of healthy term infants without breastfeeding contraindications at a public teaching hospital serving a racially and ethnically diverse patient population. Using multivariable regression analysis, we examined the associations between in-hospital EBF and sociodemographic factors, medical factors, breastfeeding intentions, and health care system breastfeeding support (in-hospital breastfeeding education and lactation support). Results: The prevalence of in-hospital EBF was 29.0%. The statistically significant findings from our fully adjusted regression analysis include that there was a higher prevalence of in-hospital EBF among adult mothers (prevalence ratio [PR]: range 1.78-1.96), married mothers (PR: 1.35, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.23-1.44), and mothers who were White (PR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.20-1.66, compared with Black). Factors associated with a lower prevalence of in-hospital EBF were maternal diabetes (PR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.70-0.95), pre-eclampsia/eclampsia (PR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.71-0.95), cesarean delivery (PR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.77-0.92), neonatal hypoglycemia (PR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.36-0.59), and intention in the prenatal period to formula feed only (PR: 0.15, 95% CI: 0.10-0.22). In-hospital lactation support was associated with higher prevalence of in-hospital EBF (PR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.16-1.33). Conclusions: Prioritizing lactation support for Black mothers, adolescent mothers, those intending in the prenatal period to formula feed only, and mother-infant dyads with certain medical factors could improve in-hospital EBF.

Determinants of early cessation of exclusive breastfeeding practices among rural mothers from Jaffna District of Sri Lanka

BackgroundSri Lanka is an upper-middle-income country with excellent health statistics. However, 2016 Demographic and Health Survey data have shown 82% and 64% of mothers exclusively breastfed infants aged 0–6 months and 4–5 months, respectively. The short duration of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) has an impact on the growth and development of babies. Since no studies have been reported on EBF practices of the rural mothers in Jaffna District, an administrative district among 25 districts of Sri Lanka, this study aimed to assess the factors influencing the early cessation of EBF.MethodsFor this community-based cross-sectional study, 338 mother–child pairs were selected from 2013–14. EBF was defined as children not receiving any food or drink, including complementary foods, formula milk or milk products except for medicines and vitamins or mineral drops, other than breast milk since birth. Socio-economic and demographic factors, the influence of the mode of delivery, and knowledge on EBF were obtained using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. The details of EBF and reasons for the cessation of breastfeeding before six months were obtained from a subgroup of mothers (n = 208). Multivariate analysis was performed to explore the correlates of breastfeeding.ResultsIn this study, 71.2% (95% CI 64.5, 77.2) had practiced EBF for six months. Early discontinuation of EBF was practiced by employed mothers (AOR 4.3; 95% CI 1.3, 13.9), mothers of low birth weight babies (AOR 3.6; 95% CI 1.6, 8.2) and those who experienced Cesarean section birth (AOR 2.9; 95% CI 1.2, 6.9). The EBF practiced by mothers of rural Jaffna was not associated with the gender of the babies, type of family, number of children in a family, religion of the household, knowledge on EBF, or family income.ConclusionThe prevalence of EBF up to six months was low in rural Jaffna, and it was influenced by employment, birthweight of the babies, and the mode of delivery. To enhance EBF, the Regional Directorate of Health Service, Jaffna, should take necessary action with policymakers to increase maternity leave for at least six months, reduce the Cesarean section rate, and provide nutritional support to pregnant mothers.

Prevalence of Exclusive Breastfeeding and Associated Factors among Mothers in Karongi District, Rwanda

BackgroundExclusive breastfeeding is crucial for an infant’s growth and development. In Rwanda, 47% of rural children and 27% of urban children are stunted which could be linked to poor exclusive breastfeeding. Thus, this study was carried out to assess prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding and associated factors in Karongi district of Rwanda.MethodA cross-sectional design was used involving 261 mothers with infants of 6 to 9 months selected systematically with an interval two as they came to the health facilities. The data were collected using structured questionnaire. The factors independently associated with exclusive breastfeeding were determined using multivariable logistic regression analysis.ResultsThe prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding was 87.1%. Married mothers (AOR= 3.15; 95%CI = 1.07 – 9.28), protestant mothers (AOR= 0.15; 95%CI = 0.03 – 0.69), attending prenatal care (AOR= 19.87; 95%CI = 3.00 – 131.68), receiving postnatal care (AOR = 3.07; 95%CI = 1.31 – 7.21) and receiving breastfeeding counseling (AOR= 3.16; 95%CI = 1.03 – 9.69) were identified as independent factors associated with exclusively breastfeeding.ConclusionThe prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding was high but with various healthcare service associated factors. Therefore awareness and appropriate behavior change communication strategies on exclusive breastfeeding should be encouraged during prenatal and postpartum care for optimum practice.Rwanda J Med Health Sci 2023;6(2):123-134