International Breastfeeding Journal (Aug 2023)

Prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of an infant’s life and associated factors in a low–middle income country

  • Hoang Thi Nam Giang,
  • Do Thi Thuy Duy,
  • Nguyen Lam Vuong,
  • Nguyen Thi Tu Ngoc,
  • Thu Thi Pham,
  • Nguyen Tran Minh Duc,
  • Trinh Thi Diem Le,
  • Tran Thi Tuyet Nga,
  • Le Tho Minh Hieu,
  • Nguyen Thi Tuong Vi,
  • Bui Minh Triet,
  • Nguyen Tan Thach,
  • Tran Thi Bach Truc,
  • Nguyen Tien Huy

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-023-00585-x
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 18, no. 1
pp. 1 – 11

Abstract

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Abstract Background Although breastfeeding is practiced by 98% of mothers in Vietnam, infant breastfeeding behaviors remain far from World Health Organization recommendations and continues to decline. This study aims to explore the prevalence and factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of an infant’s life. Methods A cross-sectional study utilized a self-administered maternal questionnaire to collect data on 1072 Vietnamese mothers who brought infants aged between 6 and 30 months to a community health centre (CHC) for routine vaccination. Data collection was conducted from March to May 2021 in two cities in Central and North Vietnam. In order to measure exclusive breastfeeding, we asked mothers to recall (yes / no), if the child had received breast milk, formula, colostrum milk powder, water, vitamin / medicine, fruit juice / honey, and complementary foods aged under six months. Results In the first six months, 14.2% of mothers exclusively breastfed their infants. Multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated a significant association between exclusive infant breastfeeding and the highest maternal education level (university or postgraduate) (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.55; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.10, 5.91); male infants (aOR 1.72; 95% CI 1.11, 2.68); duration of skin-to-skin contact greater than 90 min (aOR 7.69; 95% CI 1.95, 30.38); receiving first breastfeeding during skin-to-skin contact (aOR 2.31; 95% CI 1.30, 4.10); completely feeding infant directly at the breast (aOR 1.65; 95% CI 1.00, 2.71) and exclusive breastfeeding intention during pregnancy (aOR 2.48; 95% CI 1.53, 4.00). When compared with mothers who were prenatally exposed to infant formula advertising classified as “often”, the prevalence of exclusive infant breastfeeding was higher in mothers who classified their prenatal exposure to infant formula advertising as “sometimes” (aOR 2.15; 95% CI 1.13, 4.10), and “seldom” (aOR 2.58; 95% CI 1.25, 5.36). Conclusion The prevalence of mothers who practiced exclusive infant breastfeeding during the first six months in Vietnam was low. Infants should receive early maternal-infant skin-to-skin contact greater than 90 min and complete first breastfeeding during skin-to-skin contact. Further, mothers should be protected against infant formula advertisements to maximise the likelihood of exclusive breastfeeding during the child’s infancy.

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