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

Abstract

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 breast feeding among mothers of children aged less than 24 months in Ethiopia: A community-based cross-sectional study

“…The study at hand revealed that women who delivered at a health facility were more likely to initiate breast feeding within the first 1 hour of birth than their counterparts. This finding is in line with studies conducted in South Ethiopia, 41 Northwest Ethiopia, 26 38 Economic Community of West African States, 45 sub-Saharan Africa, 33 Peru 46 and Romania. 47 As it is stated in literature, initiation of breast feeding within the first hour of birth is an integral part of the safe delivery procedure.…”

Effects of maternal education on early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding practices in sub-Saharan Africa: a secondary analysis of Demographic and Health Surveys from 2015 to 2019

“…This might mean that female education as a means of promoting timely initiation of breast feeding may only be impactful until primary schooling, the point after which the impact may not be absent. Findings similar to this have been reported from sub-Saharan Africa and elsewhere 19 23. From these findings, it can be said that increasing the educational status of mothers improves EIBF only until primary school.…”

“…Though studies have shown that maternal education significantly improves EIBF and EBF,14–16 this effect has not been consistently reported across studies. While several studies reported a positive association between maternal education and EIBF14 17 and EBF,15 others reported that maternal education, after a certain level, either has no association or a negative association with EIBF and EBF 11 18–20. Thus, it is essential to assess the effects of maternal education on EIBF and EBF by using a representative and large sample size.…”

Timing of Breastfeeding Initiation Mediates the Association between Delivery Mode, Source of Breastfeeding Education, and Postpartum Depression Symptoms

“…Hence it is important to adjust all maternity hospital settings to facilitate EIBF by making it a very easy choice for the mother. Enhancing EIBF through maternity services-based interventions would indeed be a cost-effective approach to improve postpartum mood and could help alleviate the influence of EMCS on PPD risk, at least to some extent [ 48 ].…”