The effect of maternal health service utilization in early initiation of breastfeeding among Nepalese mothers

Assessment of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative showed suboptimal knowledge and a low exclusive breastfeeding rate in Ogun State, Nigeria

AIM

Implementing the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) programme has been fraught with challenges globally. The study aimed to assess the implementation of the BFHI and breastfeeding practices in healthcare facilities in Ogun State, Nigeria.

METHODS

It was a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study carried out between August and October 2019 among 100 healthcare workers and 110 mothers from health facilities in Ijebu-Ode Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria.

RESULTS

Nearly two-thirds (61.0%) of the healthcare workers were community health workers while the others were nurses. Less than a quarter (23.8%) of the healthcare workers had ever attended breastfeeding educational programmes since they started working. About half of the healthcare workers had good knowledge, attitude and practice of BFHI. Nurses had a significantly better practice of BFHI than community health workers. Understaffing was a major limitation to the implementation of BFHI. The mothers had an exclusive breastfeeding rate of 47%.

CONCLUSION

The knowledge, attitude, and practice of BFHI were suboptimal and the exclusive breastfeeding rate among the mothers was low. There is a need to improve staff strength, training and re-training of staff, as well as regular monitoring and evaluation of healthcare facilities on the implementation of BFHI.

Health facility delivery and early initiation of breastfeeding: Cross-sectional survey of 11 sub-Saharan African countries

Background and Aims

Early initiation of breastfeeding (EIB) remains one of the promising interventions for preventing neonatal and child deaths. EIB is positively associated with healthcare delivery or childbirth. Meanwhile, no study in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) appears to have investigated the relationship between health facility delivery and EIB; thus, we assessed the correlation between health facility delivery and EIB.

Methods

We used data from the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) of 64,506 women from 11 SSA countries. The outcome variable was whether the respondent had early breastfeeding or not. Two logistic regression models were used in the inferential analysis. With a 95% confidence interval (CI), the adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for each variable were calculated. The data set was stored, managed, and analyzed using Stata version 13.

Results

The overall percentage of women who initiated early breastfeeding was 59.22%. Rwanda recorded the highest percentage of early initiation of breastfeeding (86.34%), while Gambia recorded the lowest (39.44%). The adjusted model revealed a significant association between health facility delivery and EIB (aOR = 1.80, CI = 1.73-1.87). Compared with urban women, rural women had higher likelihood of initiating early breastfeeding (aOR = 1.22, CI = 1.16-1.27). Women with a primary education (aOR = 1.26, CI = 1.20-1.32), secondary education (aOR = 1.12, CI = 1.06-1.17), and higher (aOR = 1.13, CI = 1.02-1.25), all had higher odds of initiating early breastfeeding. Women with the richest wealth status had the highest odds of initiating early breastfeeding as compared to the poorest women (aOR = 1.33, CI = 1.23-1.43).

Conclusion

Based on our findings, we strongly advocate for the integration of EIB policies and initiatives with healthcare delivery advocacy. Integration of these efforts can result in drastic reduction in infant and child mortality. Essentially, Gambia and other countries with a lower proclivity for EIB must reconsider their current breastfeeding interventions and conduct the necessary reviews and modifications that can lead to an increase in EIB.

Spatial distribution of stunting and wasting in 6-59 months children in Nepal: analysis using a Bayesian distributional bivariate probit model

The combined burden of stunting and wasting in children under five years is a serious public health concern. The present study aimed to estimate the joint burden of stunting and wasting among children aged 6-59 months and explore its spatial variation across Nepal. The 2016 Nepal Demographic and Health Survey data was used to study acute and chronic childhood malnutrition. A Bayesian distributional bivariate probit geoadditive model was designed to study the linear association and geographical variation of stunting and wasting among 6-59 months, children. Child-related factors such as low birth weight, fever in the last 2 weeks preceding the survey and fourth or greater birth order were associated with a higher likelihood of stunting. The likelihood of a child being stunted was significantly less in the wealthiest households, having improved toilet facilities, and if mothers were overweight. Children from severely food insecure households were significantly more likely, and children from poorer households were significantly less likely to suffer both acute and chronic malnutrition simultaneously. Results from spatial effect showed that children from Lumbini and Karnali had a higher burden of stunting, and the likelihood that achild would have been wasted was significantly higher in Madhesh and Province 1. Immediate nutritional efforts are vital in low-income and severely food insecure households to lessen the risk of stunting and wasting in under children. Disproportionate geographic variations in stunting and wasting warrant sub-regional-specific nutrition intervention to achieve nutrition targets and reduce the burden of childhood malnutrition across the country.

Antenatal and perinatal service delivery associations with breastfeeding outcomes in Nepal: Analysis of the 2016 Nepal Demographic and Health Survey

Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) breastfeeding guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO) have been promoted in Nepal since the early 1990s. This study investigated whether antenatal and perinatal service delivery in Nepal are associated with early initiation of breastfeeding and age-appropriate feeding practice (exclusive breastfeeding to six months; introduction of complementary foods at six months with continued breastfeeding to two years). Data from the 2016 Nepal Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) were analysed using multivariable logistic regression. The unit of analysis was an interviewed woman and her last-born child aged 0-23 months. We examined number of antenatal visits, place and type of delivery, infant-mother skin-to-skin contact post-delivery, and breastfeeding observation and counselling by a healthcare provider within two days post-delivery. Of 1938 mother-infant dyads, 1073 (55.4%) commenced breastfeeding within one hour of delivery and 1665 (85.9%) were engaged in age-appropriate feeding. Breastfeeding within one hour of delivery was associated with infants delivered vaginally (aOR: 4.76, 95% CI: 2.96-7.65), infant-mother skin-to-skin contact post-delivery (aOR:2.10, 95% CI: 1.63-2.72) and observation of breastfeeding by a healthcare provider within two days post-delivery (aOR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.20-2.08). Age-appropriate feeding was lowest amongst mothers with infants aged 4-5 months (40.8%) compared to those with infants aged 0-1 month (aOR: 0.158, 95% CI: 0.083-0.302). Antenatal and perinatal service delivery were not significantly associated with age-appropriate feeding. Further promotion of infant-mother skin-to-skin contact post-delivery (including after caesarean delivery) and observation of early breastfeeding may increase the rate of breastfeeding within one hour of delivery. Promotion of exclusive breastfeeding in antenatal and perinatal services and additional postnatal support should be considered to increase exclusive breastfeeding of infants to six months. These improvements may be achieved through enhanced implementation of the Baby Friendly Hospitals Initiative and effective training and sufficient practice for skilled birth attendants.

Factors associated with early initiation of breastfeeding among children less than 24 months old: the 2019 Ethiopian mini demographic and health survey

Background

The world Health Organization recommended that all mothers be supported to initiate breastfeeding as soon as possible after birth, within the first hour. This study examined the determinants of early initiation of breastfeeding in Ethiopia by using data from the 2019 Ethiopia Mini Demographic and Health Survey.

Methods

The data for this study was extracted from the 2019 Ethiopia Mini Demographic and Health Survey. A total of 1948 children aged less than 24 months at the time of the survey were included for analysis from the nine regional states and two city administrations. The analysis was carried out in STATA Version 14.2 software using survey commands to account for the complex sample design and apply sampling weights. A manual backward stepwise elimination approach was applied.

Result

The prevalence of early initiation of breastfeeding in Ethiopia was noted to be 75.2% [95% CI (71.9, 78.5%)]. In the multivariable analysis, mothers who had vaginal deliveries [AOR = 3.02 (95% CI: 1.55, 5.88)] had 3 times higher odds practicing early initiation of breastfeeding compared to mothers who had a cesarian section. Mothers aged between 35 and 49 years [AOR = 2.40, 95% CI: 1.20, 4.49] had 2.4 times higher odds of practicing early initiation of breastfeeding compared to mothers aged below 20 years. In addition, early initiation of breastfeeding was also associated with the region where mothers resided, in particular mothers in Amhara and Somali region, had lower odds of practicing early initiation of breastfeeding as compared with mothers residing in Tigray region.

Conclusion

Early initiation of breastfeeding in Ethiopia was found to be significantly associated with mode of delivery, mother’s age, and region. As a result, raising awareness about early initiation of breastfeeding is especially important for mothers who have had a cesarean section, which could be accomplished with the help of the health extension workforce.

The trends of women's autonomy in health care decision making and associated factors in Ethiopia: evidence from 2005, 2011 and 2016 DHS data

Background

Women's autonomy in health care decision-making is very crucial for the well-being of women themselves, their children, and the entire family members. Although studying the issue is significant to take proper interventions, the issue is not studied at a nationwide level in Ethiopia. Accordingly, this population-based nationwide study was aimed at assessing the trends of women’s autonomy in health care decision-making and its associated factors in Ethiopia.

Method

The sample was limited to married women of 2005 (n = 8617), 2011 (n = 10,168), and 2016 (n = 9824) Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) data. Women's autonomy in health care decision-making was measured based on their response to the question ‘person who usually decides on respondent's health care. To examine associated factors, socio-demographic variables were computed using multinomial logistic regression.

Result

The finding revealed that the trend of women’s autonomy in health care decision-making had declined from 18.7% in 2005 to 17.2% in 2011 albeit it had risen to 19.1% in 2016. The autonomy of women who resides in urban areas was 98.7% higher than rural residents, and those who live in the Tigray region, Somali region, and Addis Ababa are 76.6%, 79.7%, and 95.7% higher than who live in Dire Dawa respectively. Unemployed women, women aged from 15 to 24 years, and uneducated women were 45.1%, 32.4%, and 32.2% less likely autonomous in health care decision making respectively.

Conclusion

The autonomy of women in health care decision-making had declined from 2005 to 2011. Therefore, the role of stakeholders in taking possible interventions like empowering women shall be strengthened. This is to protect women from certain health problems as well as for the well-being of women themselves, their children, and the entire family members.

Maternal and child factors associated with early initiation of breastfeeding in Chad: evidence from nationally representative cross-sectional data

Background

Early initiation of breastfeeding (EIB) is an inexpensive practice but has a substantial potential to reduce neonatal morbidity. Therefore, this study investigated the maternal and child-related factors associated with EIB and makes recommendations that could help improve the practice in Chad.

Methods

We used data from the children's recode file of the 2014–2015 Chad Demographic and Health Survey. A total of 3991 women ages 15–49 y who had last-born children in the 2 y preceding the survey were included in our study. The outcome variable for the study was EIB. Both descriptive (frequencies and percentages) and inferential (binary logistic regression) analyses were carried out. All results of the binary logistic analyses are presented as adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

We found the prevalence of EIB in Chad to be 23.8%. In terms of maternal factors, the likelihood of EIB was high among non-working women (aOR 1.37 [95% CI 1.18 to 1.59]), the richest wealth quintile women (aOR 1.37 [95% CI 1.04 to 1.79]) and non-media-exposed women (aOR 1.58 [95% CI 1.24 to 2.02]) compared with working women, the poorest wealth quintile women and media-exposed women, respectively. EIB was lower among children whose mothers had one to three antenatal care visits (ANC; aOR 0.73 [95% CI 0.61 to 0.87]) and four or more ANC visits (aOR 0.80 [95% CI 0.66 to 0.97]) compared with those who had no ANC visits. With the child factors, EIB was higher among mothers of children who were smaller than average size at birth compared with those of larger than average birth size (aOR 1.47 [95% CI 1.24 to 1.74]). Mothers of children of fifth-order or more births compared with those of first-order births (aOR 1.51 [95% CI 1.07 to 2.12]) and those who were delivered through vaginal birth compared with those delivered through caesarean section (aOR 4.71 [95% CI 1.36 to 16.24]) were more likely to practice EIB.

Conclusions

Maternal and child-related factors play roles in EIB in Chad. Hence, it is important to consider these factors in maternal and neonatal health interventions. Such initiatives, including training of outreach health workers, health education, counselling sessions and awareness-raising activities on breastfeeding geared towards EIB should be undertaken. These should take into consideration the employment status, wealth quintile, exposure to mass media, size of the baby at birth, ANC visits, parity and delivery method.

Women's autonomy in refusing risky sex and associated factors in Ethiopia: evidence from 2011 to 2016 EDHS data

BACKGROUND

Risky sexual behavior is a major public health concern of Ethiopians. Although studying the autonomy of women in refusing risky sex is significant to take proper actions, the issue is not yet studied. Accordingly, this population-based nationwide study was aimed at assessing women's autonomy in refusing risky sex and its associated factors in Ethiopia.

METHOD

The sample was limited to married women of 2011 (n = 8369) and 2016 (n = 8403) Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey data. Women's autonomy in refusing risky sex was measured based on wives' response to 'not having sex because husbands have other women. To examine associated factors, socio-demographic variables were computed using binary logistic regression.

RESULT

The finding revealed that the trend of women's autonomy in refusing risky sex had declined from 78.9% in 2011 to 69.5% in 2016. Women aged from 25 to 34 were less likely autonomous in refusing sex compared to those who aged less than 24 years old (AOR = .7064; 95% CI 0.605, 0.965). The autonomy of women with higher educational status was three times more likely higher than those who have no formal education (AOR = 3.221; 95% CI 1.647, 6.300 respectively. The autonomy of women who are from rich households was more likely higher in comparison to women from poor households (AOR = 1.523; 95% CI 1.28, 1.813). The autonomy of women those who live in Tigray 2.9 times (AOR = 2.938; 95% CI 2.025, 4.263), Amhara 4.8 times (AOR = 4.870; 95% CI 3.388, 7.000), SNNP 1.9 times (AOR = 1.900; 95% CI 1.355, 2.664), and Addis Ababa 3.8 times (AOR = 3.809; 95% CI 2.227, 6.516) more likely higher than those who reside in Dire Dawa.

CONCLUSION

The autonomy of women in refusing risky sex has declined from 2011 to 2016. This infers that currently, women are more victimized than previously. Hence, possible interventions like empowering women shall be taken to protect women from certain health problems of risky sexual behavior.

Maternal and child factors associated with timely initiation of breastfeeding in sub-Saharan Africa

Background

The probability of not breastfeeding within the first hour after delivery (timely initiation of breastfeeding) is particularly pronounced in sub-Saharan Africa. In this study, we examined the maternal and child factors associated with timely initiation of breastfeeding in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods

We pooled data from 29 sub-Saharan African countries’ Demographic and Health Surveys conducted from 2010 to 2018. A total of 60,038 childbearing women were included. Frequencies, percentages, and binary logistic regression analyses were carried out. Binary logistic regression was used to examine the maternal and child factors associated with timely initiation of breastfeeding and the results were presented as adjusted odds ratios (aOR) at 95% confidence interval (CI). 

Results

We found a prevalence of 55.81% of timely initiation of breastfeeding in the sub-region. The country with the highest prevalence of timely initiation of breastfeeding was Burundi (86.19%), whereas Guinea had the lowest prevalence (15.17%). The likelihood of timely initiation of breastfeeding was lower among married women, compared to never married women (aOR 0.91; 95% CI 0.85, 0.98); working women compared to non-working women (aOR 0.90; 95% CI 0.87, 0.93); women who watched television at least once a week, compared to those who never watched television (aOR 0.74; 95% CI 0.70, 0.78); women who delivered through caesarean section, compared to vaginal birth (aOR 0.30; 95% CI 0.27, 0.32); and those with multiple births, compared to those with single births (aOR 0.67; 95% CI 0.59, 0.76). Women who lived in Central Africa were less likely to initiate breastfeeding timely compared to those who lived in West Africa (aOR 0.80; 95% CI 0.75, 0.84).

Conclusions

The findings call for the need for a behavioural change communication programmes, targeted at timely initiation of breastfeeding, to reverse and close the timely initiation of breastfeeding gaps stratified by the maternal and child factors. Prioritising policies to enhance timely initiation of breastfeeding is needed, particularly among Cental African countries where timely initiation of breastfeeding remains a challenge. Sufficient supportive care, especially for mothers with multiple births and those who undergo caesarean section, is needed to resolve timely initiation of breastfeeding inequalities.

Intersectional (in) equities in contact coverage of maternal and newborn health services in Nepal: insights from a nationwide cross-sectional household survey

Background

Persistent inequities in coverage of maternal and newborn health (MNH) services continue to pose a major challenge to the health-care system in Nepal. This paper uses a novel composite indicator of intersectional (dis) advantages to examine how different (in) equity markers intersect to create (in) equities in contact coverage of MNH services across the continuum of care (CoC) in Nepal.

Methods

A secondary analysis was conducted among 1978 women aged 15–49 years who had a live birth in the two years preceding the survey. Data were derived from the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2016. The three outcome variables included were 1) at least four antenatal care (4ANC) visits, 2) institutional delivery, and 3) postnatal care (PNC) consult for newborns and mothers within 48 h of childbirth. Independent variables were wealth status, education, ethnicity, languages, residence, and marginalisation status. Intersectional (dis) advantages were created using three socioeconomic variables (wealth status, level of education and ethnicity of women). Binomial logistic regression analysis was employed to identify the patterns of (in) equities in contact coverage of MNH services across the CoC.

Results

The contact coverage of 4ANC visits, institutional delivery, and PNC visit was 72, 64, and 51% respectively. Relative to women with triple disadvantage, the odds of contact coverage of 4ANC visits was more than five-fold higher (Adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) = 5.51; 95% CI: 2.85, 10.64) among women with triple forms of advantages (literate and advantaged ethnicity and higher wealth status). Women with triple advantages were seven-fold more likely to give birth in a health institution (aOR = 7.32; 95% CI: 3.66, 14.63). They were also four times more likely (aOR = 4.18; 95% CI: 2.40, 7.28) to receive PNC visit compared to their triple disadvantaged counterparts.

Conclusions

The contact coverage of routine MNH visits was low among women with social disadvantages and lowest among women with multiple forms of socioeconomic disadvantages. Tracking health service coverage among women with multiple forms of (dis) advantage can provide crucial information for designing contextual and targeted approaches to actions towards universal coverage of MNH services and improving health equity.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-021-11142-8.

Infant and young child feeding practices in Ethiopia: analysis of socioeconomic disparities based on nationally representative data

BACKGROUND

Undernutrition among children is a priority area of public health concern in Ethiopia. The purpose of this study was to examine disparities in Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices among children 6-23 months.

METHOD

Data were drawn from the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Surveys (EDHS). A total of 3240 children aged 6-23 months were used for the present analysis. The outcome variable was IYCF practice score (ranging 0-7) which was constructed based on the linear and combined effects of four sets of variables: breastfeeding, avoidance of bottle feeding, diet diversity score and minimum feeding frequency. IYCF practice score was further recoded into three categories. Proportional odds regression was used to assess the determinants of IYCF category.

RESULTS

The proportional odds regression analysis showed that IYCF scores significantly decreased by 5% (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 0.95; 95% CI: 0.93-0.97) for every unit increase in the child's age. Households with fathers of primary and secondary and above level education were 1.37 times (95% CI: 1.14-1.66) and 1.67 times (95% CI: 1.26-2.23) more likely to be in the high IYCF category than in the poor IYCF category. The likelihood of being in the high IYCF practice category decreased for non-working mothers by 30% (AOR = 0.70; 95% CI: 0.59-0.83) compared to those working in gainful employment. The chance of being in the high IYCF practice category decreased by 29% for households with no access to radio (AOR = 0.71; 95% CI: 0.59-0.85). Those with medium and rich/richer wealth category were 1.54 times (95% CI: 1.22-1.94) and 1.40 times (95% CI: 1.11-1.75) more likely to belong to high IYCF practice category than being in poor IYCF category. For every unit increase in health service utilization, the chance of falling in higher IYCF category increases by 1.15 times (95% CI: 1.08-1.23). The chance of falling in higher IYCF practice category decreases for rural residents by 37% (AOR = 0.63; 95% CI: 0.47-0.84) compared to those residing in urban areas.

CONCLUSION

For a child, the first two years is the time span during which linear faltering of growth is most prevalent and the period when the process of becoming stunted is almost complete. This study recommends improving access to women for gainful employment, provision of economic support to poor rural women, education and promotion of nutrition messages using most accessible media and boosting the positive role of fathers in child feeding practices.

Association of prenatal counselling and immediate postnatal support with early initiation of breastfeeding in Uttar Pradesh, India

BACKGROUND

Timely initiation of breastfeeding, also known as early initiation of breastfeeding, is a well-recognized life-saving intervention to reduce neonatal mortality. However, only one quarter of newborns in Uttar Pradesh, India were breastfed in the first hour of life. This paper aims to understand the association of community-based prenatal counselling and postnatal support at place of delivery with early initiation of breastfeeding in Uttar Pradesh, India.

METHODS

Data from a cross-sectional survey of 9124 eligible women (who had a live birth in 59 days preceding the survey) conducted in 25 districts of Uttar Pradesh, India, in 2018, were used. Simple random sampling was used to randomly select 40 Community Development Blocks (sub district administrative units) in 25 districts. The Primary Sampling Units (PSUs), health service delivery unit for frontline workers, were selected randomly from a linelisting of PSUs in each selected Community Development Block. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the association of prenatal counselling and postnatal support on early initiation of breastfeeding in public, private and home deliveries.

RESULTS

Overall 48.1% of mothers initiated breastfeeding within an hour, with major variation by place of delivery (61.2% public, 23.6% private and 32.6% home). The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of early initiation of breastfeeding was highest among mothers who received both counselling and support (aOR 2.67; 95% CI 2.30, 3.11), followed by those who received only support (aOR 1.99; 95% CI 1.73, 2.28), and only counselling (aOR 1.40; 95% CI 1.18, 1.67) compared to mothers who received none. The odds of early initiation of breastfeeding was highest among mothers who received both prenatal counselling and postnatal support irrespective of delivery at public health facilities (aOR 2.49; 95% CI 2.07, 3.01), private health facilities (aOR 3.50; 95% CI 2.25, 5.44), or home (aOR 2.84; 95% CI 2.02, 3.98).

CONCLUSIONS

A significant association of prenatal counselling and postnatal support immediately after birth on improving early initiation of breastfeeding, irrespective of place of delivery, indicates the importance of enhancing coverage of both the interventions through community and facility-based programs in Uttar Pradesh.

Early Initiation of Breastfeeding and Its Associated Factors Among Mothers Who Delivered Vaginally in South Gondar Zone Hospitals, Northwest Ethiopia, 2020

Purpose

The early onset of skin-to-skin contact encourages the infant to breastfeed within one hour of birth. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of early onset breastfeeding and its associated factors among vaginal delivered mothers in hospitals in the South Gondar Zone of Northwest Ethiopia in 2020.

Methods

From January 12 to February 03, 2020, an institutional-based cross-sectional study was used in South Gondar Zone hospitals. A total of 356 mothers delivered by vaginal were included. Data was collected using a questionnaire administered by the interviewer and entered into version 3.1 of EpiData, and then exported to SPSS version 23.0.0. To classify factors correlated with the outcome variables, logistic regression statistical analyses were used.

Results

In the study area, the prevalence of early breastfeeding initiation among vaginally delivered mothers was 88.2%. Mothers who had unintended pregnancy [adjusted OR=6.00, 95% CI=2.8, 12.5], had professional guidance [adjusted OR=2.75, 95% CI=1.2, 5.6] and experience with breastfeeding [adjusted OR=1.79 95% CI=1.19, 2.68] among vaginal delivered mothers were positively correlated with early breastfeeding initiation.

Conclusion

The type of pregnancy and professional guidance among vaginally delivered mothers were significantly associated with early initiation of breastfeeding. Community-based education and counseling on breastfeeding for pregnant mothers and encouraging all mothers to start early breastfeeding.

What influences home delivery among women who live in urban areas? Analysis of 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey data

BACKGROUND

In Ghana, home delivery among women in urban areas is relatively low compared to rural areas. However, the few women who deliver at home in urban areas still face enormous risk of infections and death, just like those in rural areas. The present study investigated the factors associated with home delivery among women who live in urban areas in Ghana.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data for this study was obtained from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey. We used data of 1,441 women who gave birth in the 5 years preceding the survey and were dwelling in urban areas. By the use of Stata version 14.2, we conducted both descriptive and multivariable logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

We found that 7.9% of women in urban areas in Ghana delivered at home. The study revealed that, compared to women who lived in the Northern region, women who lived in the Brong Ahafo region [AOR = 0.38, CI = 0.17-0.84] were less likely to deliver at home. The likelihood of home delivery was high among women in the poorest wealth quintile [AOR = 2.02, CI = 1.06-3.86], women who professed other religions [AOR = 3.45; CI = 1.53-7.81], and those who had no antenatal care visits [AOR = 7.17; 1.64-31.3]. Conversely, the likelihood of home delivery was lower among women who had attained secondary/higher education [AOR = 0.30; 0.17-0.53], compared to those with no formal education.

CONCLUSION

The study identified region of residence, wealth quintile, religion, antenatal care visits, and level of education as factors associated with home delivery among urban residents in Ghana. Therefore, health promotion programs targeted at home delivery need to focus on these factors. We also recommend that a qualitative study should be conducted to investigate the factors responsible for the differences in home delivery in terms of region, as the present study could not do so.

Predictors of early initiation of breastfeeding in Indonesia: A population-based cross-sectional survey

Introduction

Commencing breastfeeding within one hour of birth is defined as early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF). Both the mother and child benefit from EIBF. This study aims to identify the predictors of EIBF among Indonesian women.

Methods

This paper analyses data from a weighted sample of 6,616 women collected at the Indonesia Demographic and Health Survey (IDHS) 2017.The frequency of EIBF is measured by the proportion of children born in the two years preceding the survey who received breastmilk within one hour of birth. The analysis uses bivariate and multivariate logistic regression for complex sample designs, adjusted for confounders to examine the relationship of EIBF with women’s individual, household and community level characteristics.

Results

Overall, 57% (95% CI: 54.9%-58.2%) of the children born in the two years preceding the survey had EIBF. Statistically significant (p<0.05) predictors of EIBF are women’s non-working status, second or higher order of the birth of the most recent child, average or large size of the most recent child at birth, poor status of the household and non-agricultural work of the woman’s husband; while statistically highly significant (p<0.01) predictors are skin-to-skin contact with the new-born (OR: 2.62; 95% CI: 2.28–3.00), Caesarean deliveries (OR: 0.47; 95% CI: 0.40–0.56), and skilled birth attendants (OR: 1.83; 95% CI: 1.65–2.08). Caesarean deliveries reduce the likelihood of EIBF by half compared to vaginal deliveries. Women’s age, education or rural-urban residence display no statistically significant relationship with EIBF.

Conclusion

Skin-to-skin contact, mode of delivery and type of birth attendance exert the strongest influence on EIBF in Indonesia in 2017. EIBF should be continuously promoted and supported particularly among mothers who do not have early skin-to-skin contact with their new-born, who have Caesarean deliveries and who have no skilled birth attendant.

Breastfeeding Practices among Mothers in Southwest Nigeria

BACKGROUND

This study was conducted to determine the breastfeeding practices among parous antenatal attendees in two teaching hospitals in Southwest Nigeria.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was carried out on 340 parous antenatal clinic attendees in two teaching hospitals in Ogun State, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain data on breastfeeding practices. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) windows version 21.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA).

RESULTS

Out of a total of 340 women, 319 (93.8%) breastfed their last babies. The median duration of breastfeeding was 15 months. One hundred and thirty two women (38.8%) initiated breastfeeding within 30 minutes of delivery, and 200 women (58.8%) exclusively breastfed their babies for six months. The majority of the women, 299(87.9%k) did not report any problem associated with breastfeeding. Logistic regression analysis showed that women who had no breastfeeding problems were more likely to exclusively breastfeed their infants for six months compared to those with breastfeeding problems (AOR 3.4; CI 1.6-7.1; P=0.001). Similarly, women who got breastfeeding information from mass media were more likely to practice exclusive breastfeeding for six months compared to those that got breastfeeding information from other sources (AOR42.2; CI 3.1-568.5; P=0.005).

CONCLUSION

Exclusive breastfeeding is suboptimal in Ogun State, Nigeria. Provision of breastfeeding information via mass media will assist in improving breastfeeding practice. Educating mothers on the techniques that help to prevent breastfeeding complications will also be beneficial.

Determinants of early initiation of breastfeeding in Peru: analysis of the 2018 Demographic and Family Health Survey

OBJECTIVES

Early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF) is one of the most cost-effective strategies to reduce neonatal mortality. We sought to determine the prevalence and determinants of EIBF in Peru.

METHODS

We performed a cross-sectional analytical study of the 2018 Peruvian Demographic and Family Health Survey as a secondary data source. In total, 19,595 children born during the 5 years prior to the survey were included in the study. The dependent variable (EIBF status), socio-demographic variables, and pregnancy-related variables were analyzed using a multivariate logistic regression model to identify the determinants of EIBF.

RESULTS

The prevalence of EIBF in the study population was 49.7%. Cesarean deliveries were associated with a lower likelihood of EIBF (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.05 to 0.07) than were vaginal deliveries. Newborns born at public health centers (aOR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.15 to 1.65) had a higher rate of EIBF than those not born at public or private health centers. Women from the jungle region (aOR, 2.51; 95% CI, 2.17 to 2.89) had higher odds of providing EIBF than those from the coast. Mothers with more than a secondary education (aOR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.55 to 0.76) were less likely to breastfeed during the first hour of the newborn’s life than women with primary or no education.

CONCLUSIONS

More than half of Peruvian children do not breastfeed during the first hour after birth. The major determinants of EIBF status were the delivery mode and the region of maternal residence. Strategies are needed to promote early breastfeeding practices.

Determinants of Early Initiation of Breastfeeding among Mothers of Children Aged Less than 24 Months in Northwestern Romania

Early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF), defined as putting newborns to the breast within 1 h of birth, may have important benefits for both infant and mother. The aim of this study was to assess EIBF practices and its determinants in northwestern Romania. This cross-sectional study was conducted from March to June 2019, based on a sample of 1399 mothers of children aged less than 24 months. The sample was recruited from the community, from 29 cities and 41 communes distributed across the six counties of the northwestern region of Romania. Mothers responded by face-to-face interviews to a structured questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors independently associated with EIBF. Only 24.3% of the mothers initiated breastfeeding within 1 h of birth. Delivering at a private hospital (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 5.17, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.87, 6.91), vaginal delivery (AOR: 4.39, 95% CI 3.29, 5.88), mother–newborn skin-to-skin contact for 1 h or more (AOR: 55.6, 95% CI 23.0, 134.2), and breastfeeding counseling during antenatal visits (AOR: 1.48, 95% CI 1.12, 1.97) were factors associated with increased likelihood of EIBF. Overall, the practice of EIBF was poor. Targeting modifiable factors associated with EIBF may be used to improve early initiation practice.