Infant Feeding Practices in the First 6 Months and Associated Factors in a Rural and Semiurban Community in Mangochi District,Malawi

Abstract

This cross-sectional study aimed at investigating infant feeding practices and their sociodemographic correlates in Mangochi District, Malawi. Questionnaire data from 157 rural and 192 semiurban mother-infant pairs were obtained. Early breastfeeding (< 1 hour after delivery) was practiced among 68.2% of the rural and 63% of the semiurban mothers. Colostrum was given by 96% of the sampled mothers. Exclusive breastfeeding rates in the sample at 2, 4, and 6 months were 39.1%, 27.5%, and 7.5%, respectively. At 4 months, exclusive breastfeeding was significantly higher in the semiurban (46.8%) than in the rural (4.7%) group. Living in the rural area (OR = 1.87; 95% CI 1.26-2.76) and giving birth outside a health facility (OR = 1.36; 95% CI 1.00-1.85) were risk factors for stopping exclusive breastfeeding before 6 months. The results suggest that semiurban mothers are more likely to practice optimum breastfeeding and that health facilities have an important role in its promotion. J Hum Lact. 23(4):325-332.

Este estudio transversal se enfocó en investigar prácticas de alimentación infantil y la correlación sociodemográfica en el distrito de Mangochi, Malawi. Se obtuvieron datos de un cuestionario de parejas madre-hijo, 157 de áreas rurales y 192 de areas semi-urbanas. La practica de lactancia temprana (<1 hora después del parto) fue de 68.2% en las mujeres del área rural y 63% del área urbana. Se dio el calostro en el 96% de toda la muestra de madres. Los índices de lactancia materna exclusiva en la muestra a los 2, 4 y 6 meses fue de 39.1%, 27.5%, y 7.5% respectivamente. A los 4 meses la lactancia materna exclusiva fue significativamente mas alta en el grupo de área semi-urbana (46.8%) que en el de área rural (4.7%). Vivir en área rural (OR = 1.87; 95% CI 1.26-2.76) y dar a luz fuera de un centro de salud (OR = 1.36; 95% CI 1.00-1.85) fueron factores de riesgo para suspender la lactancia materna exclusiva a los 6 meses. Los resultados sugieren que las madres de áreas semi-urbanas son más susceptibles a la práctica óptima de la lactancia materna y que los centros de salud tienen un papel importante en su promoción. 332 Kamudoni et al J Hum Lact 23(4), 2007

Keywords

optimum breastfeeding exclusive breastfeeding infant-feeding behavior demographic factors maternal health services maternal-child health services Malawi Africa

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