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Factors associated with delayed initiation of breastfeeding in Mysore, India
Early initiation of breastfeeding reduces neonatal mortality by 22% and prevents 1.4 million child deaths due to diarrhoeal and respiratory infections worldwide. The World Health Organization recommends initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of birth. This study aims to estimate prevalence and determine factors associated with delayed breastfeeding initiation in Mysore, India.
Methods:
In a prospective cohort study of 1495 mother-infant dyads, using self-reported questionnaires, data were collected on breastfeeding initiation, and maternal and infant characteristics including maternal age, education, religion, occupation, parity, prenatal care, social support, mode and place of delivery, and infant sex. Kruskal-Wallis and chi-square statistic tests were conducted to determine differences in maternal and infant characteristics by breastfeeding initiation. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with delayed initiation of breastfeeding practices.
Results:
Approximately 19% of mothers reported delayed initiation of breastfeeding. Compared to respective referent groups, attendance to delivery by traditional birth attendant was associated with increased odds of delayed breastfeeding initiation (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]:8.80, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]:1.33-58.47), followed by those delivered by caesarean section (AOR:5.60, 95% [CI]:3.96-7.92), attendance to delivery by auxiliary nurse midwife (AOR: 1.80, 95% CI: 1.13-2.89) and primiparous women (AOR: 1.70, 95% CI: 1.20-2.41), respectively. Contrarily, mothers with adequate prenatal care had decreased odds of delayed initiation (AOR: 0.24, 95% CI: 0.15-0.38) than those with less-than-adequate prenatal care.
Conclusion:
Study findings help identify targets for optimal infant feeding practices, including birth attendants education, delivery practices modifications, and promoting adequate prenatal care during pregnancy.
Learning Areas:
Other professions or practice related to public healthPublic health or related education
Public health or related nursing
Public health or related research
Learning Objectives:
Assess the prevalence of delayed breastfeeding initiation practice.
Identify maternal and infant characteristics associated with delayed initiation of breastfeeding.
Keyword(s): Breastfeeding, Health Promotion and Education
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been involved with study conceptualization, data analysis and interpretation, and drafting of the abstract. In addition, infant breastfeeding practices and its association with other chronic diseases in later life is one of my area of interests, that makes me qualified to present the study findings at the conference.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.