Determinants of exclusive breastfeeding among Haitian children under 6 months of age

Abstract

Objective. To identify the determinants of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) among children under 6 months of age from three regions in the South and Grand’Anse Departments of Haiti. Methods. Data were pooled from three cross-sectional surveys conducted yearly from 2017 to 2019 with the guardians of 638 children under 6 months of age. A non-quantitative 24-hour dietary recall was used to assess EBF the day before the survey. Using unadjusted and adjusted prevalence ratios, associations were assessed between EBF and several explanatory factors: infant’s age and sex; maternal age, educational attainment, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), dietary diversity, number of children under 5 years of age, responsibility for the main or secondary source of income of the household, initiation of breastfeeding within one hour, knowledge of EBF duration; household severe food insecurity, socioeconomic status, dependency ratio, region, and residential zone (urban/rural). Results. Prevalence of EBF was 68% in the study sample. From the fully adjusted model, prevalence of EBF was statistically significantly higher among younger infants, mothers with larger MUAC, who met or exceeded Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women (MDD-W), who initiated breastfeeding within one hour, who were knowledgeable of the recommendations for EBF duration, and living in the Jérémie region. Conclusions. The main determinants of EBF identified in this study attest to the importance of breastfeeding mothers’ access to nutritious food for the practice and maintenance of EBF and the need for geographically equitable access to health services and education that support breastfeeding.

Determinants of dietary diversity among children 6–23 months: a cross‐sectional study in three regions of Haiti

“…Low rates of continued breastfeeding among highly educated women in our sample population could be contributing to this result. According to the preliminary results of a manuscript that has not yet been published, continued breastfeeding among women of this study population is significantly and negatively associated with attaining secondary education 61 …”

“…According to the preliminary results of a manuscript that has not yet been published, continued breastfeeding among women of this study population is significantly and negatively associated with attaining secondary education. 61 Children whose mother is responsible for the main or secondary source of income were more likely to achieve the MDD-C. This may be the result of greater disposable income to spend on food for the household.…”

“…The hurricane was followed by heavy rainfall and floods in April 2017 and extended droughts in June, which significantly affected the harvest 43 . Further details on the project areas and activities were presented elsewhere 44 …”

“…43 Further details on the project areas and activities were presented elsewhere. 44 A cross-sectional study was developed to collect the baseline data in the eight participating communes for evaluation purposes of the A3PN intervention programme. The sample population of the study was in the areas affected by the project.…”

Recent trends and policy shifts on empowering breastfeeding in developing countries

“…Improving beliefs and practices about breastfeeding through support groups and other complementing activities was one of the significant elements of this initiative. Positive impacts can further be brought through monetary benefits resulting from the other project activities (Decelles et al, 2022).…”