Barriers to exclusive breastfeeding in rural community of central Gujarat, India

Abstract

Context: Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) in first the 6 months of life is the most effective way to satisfy nutritional and psychological needs of a baby. However, EBF rate for India remained low at 54.9% during 2015–2016. It is therefore essential to understand the reasons for such a low EBF rate in the country so that appropriate interventions can be developed and implemented. Objectives: (1) To estimate the prevalence of EBF in rural community of central Gujarat and (2) to identify barriers to EBF in this community. Materials and Methods: A community-based cross sectional study was conducted among mothers of 330 infants of age 6 months to 1 year using pretested questionnaire. Two-stage cluster sampling technique was used to select the sample. χ 2 test, t -test, and logistic regression were applied to assess the significance of associations. Results: EBF rate in the studied population was detected to be 49.7%. Early marriage of parents, less educated parents, male child, Christian religion, working mother, less number of antenatal visits, operative delivery, late initiation of breastfeeding, not feeding colostrum, lack of knowledge about EBF, and poor counseling of mother regarding EBF were identified as barriers to EBF. Conclusion: Prevalence of EBF was found to be lower than the national average in the rural community of central Gujarat. Effective strategies at local, state, and national levels should aim at addressing the barriers to EBF that are identified in this study.

Understanding the Enablers and Barriers to Appropriate Infants and Young Child Feeding Practices in India: A Systematic Review

“…In the review, we found that middle or higher socioeconomic status [ 25 , 39 , 40 , 41 ], nuclear family [ 42 , 43 , 44 ], small family size [ 42 , 45 ], male children [ 17 , 46 ], female children [ 47 ], preterm birth [ 43 ], smaller babies at birth [ 44 ], lower birth order [ 30 ], maternal age [ 23 , 48 ] (20–25 years [ 37 , 39 ]), higher maternal education [ 42 , 46 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 ], maternal unemployment [ 38 , 45 ], and multiparity [ 39 ] were associated with EBF. Similarly, low socioeconomic status [ 38 ], low maternal education [ 38 , 43 ], employed mothers [ 44 ], and primiparity [ 51 ] and breastfeeding counselling [ 49 , 54 , 55 ] were also associated with EBF.…”

Knowledge, attitude, and breast-feeding practices of postnatal mothers in Jammu: A community hospital based cross sectional study

“…[ 12 ] Our study found that 42.7% infants were exclusive breast fed, whereas in a study conducted by DJ Bhanderi et al in rural population, the EBF rate was 49.7%. [ 13 ] Almost all the mothers 98.3% believed that breast feeding boosts mother and child bonding. This is large number as compared to the findings of studies conducted by Priya Sultania et al (71%)[ 14 ] and Eman S Mohd et al (78.6%).…”

Mothers’ and Grandmothers’ misconceptions and socio-cultural factors as barriers to exclusive breastfeeding: A qualitative study involving Health Workers in two rural districts of Ghana

“…The barriers which have been identified as preventing EBF are generally maternal, child and socially or environmentally-related. Maternal-related barriers to EBF include low educational level of mothers, working mothers, difficulties in obtaining maternity leave, increase in mother’s workload, less number of antenatal visits and lack of knowledge about EBF [ 8 ]. Child-related factors such as being a male and having been delivered by cesarean section have been reported to reduce the likelihood of being exclusively breastfed [ 9 ].…”