Abstract
BackgroundTo curb neonatal deaths, practices such as skin-to-skin contact (SSC) and early initiation of breast feeding (EIBF) can play an important role. Despite being effective, globally only 48% of newborns receive EIBF, and SSC is practised at varying prevalence (1%–74%) among low-income and middle-income countries.ObjectivesThe objective of the current study was to estimate the level of SSC and EIBF practice in Bangladesh and examine factors associated with SSC and EIBF.MethodsThe cross-sectional study used data from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, Bangladesh (2019). Women of reproductive age with live birth during the last 2 years were included in the analysis (n=8854). A p<0.05 as considered statistically significant (significance level of α=0.05).ResultsThe prevalence of SSC and EIBF was 16.4% and 70.4%, respectively. Higher secondary or more level of education (AOR 1.43; 95% CI 1. 07 to 1.90; p=0.016), skilled birth attendant’s (SBA) assistance at birth (AOR 2.04, 95% CI 1.60 to 2.61; p<0.001) and receiving antenatal care (AOR 1.40; 95% CI 1.15 to 1.70; p<0.001) had higher odds of practising SSC. Having institutional delivery (AOR 0.35; 95% CI 0.28 to 0.43; p<0.001) and belonging to the richest category (AOR 0.78; 95% CI 0.65 to 0.94; p=0.008) had lower odds of practising EIBF. SSC and EIBF did not have a statistically significant association in the study.ConclusionThe prevalence of SSC in Bangladesh is quite low. However, EIBF prevalence can be considered as ‘good’. Targeted interventions such as antenatal care, and assistance by SBA during birth can help in promoting SSC. To promote EIBF practice, interventions should focus on institutes providing delivery support and the richer strata of the society.
Subject
Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health
Reference34 articles.
1. UNICEF . Neonatal mortality - UNICEF DATA. 2023. Available: https://data.unicef.org/topic/child-survival/neonatal-mortality/ [Accessed 23 May 2023].
2. National Institute of Population Research and Training and The DHS Program . Bangladesh DHS 2022 - key indicators report, Dhaka, preliminary reports. 2023.
3. Ijdi R-E , Tumlinson K , Curtis SL . Exploring association between place of delivery and newborn care with early-neonatal mortality in Bangladesh. PLOS ONE 2022;17:e0262408. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0262408
4. Ali NB , Priyanka SS , Bhui BR , et al . Prevalence and factors associated with skin-to-skin contact (SSC) practice: findings from a population-based cross-sectional survey in 10 selected districts of Bangladesh. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2021;21:709. doi:10.1186/s12884-021-04189-3
5. Moore ER , Bergman N , Anderson GC , et al . Early skin-to-skin contact for mothers and their healthy newborn infants. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2016;11:CD003519. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003519.pub4