Author:
Ekholuenetale Michael,Mistry Sabuj Kanti,Chimoriya Ritesh,Nash Simone,Doyizode Ashish M.,Arora Amit
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Optimal breastfeeding practices including early initiation of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) are associated with positive health outcomes. Socioeconomic inequalities in key breastfeeding indicators may play a role in the prevalence of breastfeeding practices. The objective of this study was to examine the socioeconomic inequalities in early initiation of breastfeeding and EBF practices in Bangladesh based on the 2018 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS).
Methods
This was a secondary data analysis of the nationally representative 2018 BDHS. Data on 4950 women of reproductive age who had ever given birth and 924 children aged 0–5 months were extracted, for early initiation of breastfeeding and EBF. Early initiation of breastfeeding was determined from children who were put to the breast within the first hour of birth. Exclusive breastfeeding was estimated from children aged 0–5 months who were exclusively breastfed.
Results
The weighted prevalence of early initiation of breastfeeding and EBF were 60.8% (95% CI; 59.0, 62.6%) and 66.8% (95% CI; 63.1, 70.3%), respectively. The estimated prevalence of early initiation among the poorest, poorer, middle, richer and richest households were 67.8, 66.3, 58.4, 56.3 and 54.4%, respectively. Similarly, early initiation prevalence of 64.4, 65.0, 61.1 and 52.3% were estimated among women with no formal education, primary, secondary and higher education, respectively. The estimated prevalence of EBF among the poorest, poorer, middle, richer and richest households were 63.0, 65.2, 67.7, 66.7 and 69.9%, respectively. Similarly, the estimated EBF prevalence were 62.5, 66.0, 66.3 and 68.9% among women with no formal education, primary, secondary and higher education, respectively. Early initiation of breastfeeding was higher among lower household wealth (Conc. Index = − 0.049; SE = 0.006) and lower educational attainment groups (Conc. Index = − 0.035; SE = 0.006).
Conclusions
Improving optimal breastfeeding practices in Bangladesh should be given utmost priority. A need to address the socioeconomic inequalities in breastfeeding practices was also identified.
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Obstetrics and Gynaecology,Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
Reference82 articles.
1. World Health Organization. Infant and young child feeding: model chapter for textbooks for medical students and allied health professionals. 2009. Available: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK148965/
2. World Health Organization. Guideline: Protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding in facilities providing maternity and newborn services. 2017. Available: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK487819/
3. Hossain M, Islam A, Kamarul T, Hossain G. Exclusive breastfeeding practice during first six months of an infant’s life in Bangladesh: a country based cross-sectional study. BMC Pediatr. 2018;18(1):93. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-018-1076-0.
4. World Health Organization. Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding; World Health Organization: Geneva, Switzerland, 2003; Available online: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/42590/ 9241562218.pdf?sequence=1 (Accessed: 9 January 2021).
5. Islam MA, Mamun A, Hossain MM, Bharati P, Saw A, Lestrel PE, et al. Prevalence and factors associated with early initiation of breastfeeding among Bangladeshi mothers: a nationwide cross-sectional study. PLoS One. 2019;14(4):e0215733. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0215733.