Factors Associated with Exclusive Breastfeeding of Children Under 6 Months of Age in Cote D'ivoire

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Despite benefits of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) and its strategic place in the national guidelines for infant and young child feeding, its practice remains insufficient in Côte d'Ivoire (34%). It is therefore important to identify its early stopping associated factors. Objectives (i) To assess the extent of children’s exposure to exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) and the associated explanatory factors for discontinuation before 6 months. (ii) To profile non-exclusively breastfed children and interrelationships between these factors. Materials and methods A secondary analysis of data from the 2016 Cote d’Ivoire Fifth Multi indicator Cluster Survey (MICS5) of 980 children under 6 months of age was conducted in this study. Data were analyzed using the actuarial method of survival function estimation combined with the Wilcoxon (Gehan) test, discrete-time logistic regression, and Multiple Correspondence Factorial Analysis (MCA) to profile the children. Results Maternal exposure to medical discourse, age at delivery, and child sex were significantly associated with the likelihood of discontinuing EBF before the first 6 months of life. Children deprived of AME resided in urban areas, in high and very high economic welfare households. Their mothers had a secondary education or higher and were poor with up to three children. In addition, the explanatory factors for dropping out of the EBF, ranked in descending order of explanatory power, were region of residence, child's health status, household standard of living, child's gender, mother's exposure to medical discourse, and mother's education level. Conclusion Improving the practice of EBF in Côte d'Ivoire requires strengthening the capacities of health professionals in terms of advice and assistance to mothers for the practice of AME and its maintenance until 6 months of age, regardless of the health status and sex of the child.