Factors associated with delayed initiation of breastfeeding: a survey in Northern Uganda
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Date
2017-12-15
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Abstract
Background: Initiation of breastfeeding later than 1 hour after birth is associated with
increased neonatal morbidity and mortality.
Objective: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with delayed initiation of
breastfeeding.
Methods: We conducted a survey in 2016 of 930 children under the age of 2 years in Lira
district, northern Uganda. Mothers of the children were interviewed and data was collected
on mobile phones using Open Data Kit software (https://opendatakit.org). Multivariable
logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with delayed initiation of
breastfeeding.
Results: Almost half [48.2%, 95% confidence interval (CI) (44.3–52.1)] of the mothers delayed
initiation of breastfeeding. Factors significantly associated with delayed initiation of breast
feeding in multivariable analysis included caesarean delivery [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR)
11.10 95% CI (3.73–33.04)], discarding initial breast milk [AOR 2.02 95% CI (1.41–2.88)], home
delivery [AOR 1.43 95% CI (1.04–1.97)] and mother being responsible for initiating breastfeed
ing as compared to a health worker or relative [AOR 1.73 95% CI (1.33–2.26)]. Mothers having
a secondary education were less likely [AOR 0.54 95% CI (0.30–0.96)] to delay initiation of
breastfeeding as compared to those with no education.
Conclusion: About half the mothers delayed initiation of breastfeeding until after 1 hour after
birth. Programs to promote, protect and support breastfeeding in this post conflict region are
urgently needed.
Description
Breastfeeding initiation patterns vary across different con
texts. This study was done in Lira district, situated in post
conflict northern Uganda, to inform the conduct of a
randomized controlled study. Our study showed that
delayed initiation is common in this region associated
with factors such as caesarean delivery, home delivery,
lack of education and discarding of initial milk. This
study also showed that importance of persons other than
the mother in initiating breastfeeding.
Keywords
Nutrition, infant-feeding, post-conflict, breastmilk, neonatal
Citation
David Mukunya, James K Tumwine, Victoria Nankabirwa, Grace Ndeezi, Isaac Odongo, Josephine Tumuhamye, Justin Bruno Tongun, Samuel Kizito, Agnes Napyo, Vincentina Achora, Beatrice Odongkara & Thorkild Tylleskar (2017) Factors associated with delayed initiation of breastfeeding: a survey in Northern Uganda, Global Health Action, 10:1, 1410975, DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2017.1410975