Dorothee van Breevoort1,2, Francesca Tognon3, Arne Beguin4, Amara S Ngegbai5, Giovanni Putoto6, Ankie van den Broek7. 1. Doctors with Africa CUAMM, Pujehun-Freetown, Sierra Leone. dorotheevanbreevoort@gmail.com. 2. Doctors with Africa CUAMM, Via San Francesco, 126, 35121, Padua, Italy. dorotheevanbreevoort@gmail.com. 3. Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy. 4. Doctors with Africa CUAMM, Pujehun-Freetown, Sierra Leone. 5. MoHS Sierra Leone, Pujehun District, Sierra Leone. 6. Doctors with Africa CUAMM, Via San Francesco, 126, 35121, Padua, Italy. 7. Department of Global Health, Royal Tropical Institute (KIT), Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: It is well established that exclusive breastfeeding can play a critical role in reducing child morbidity and mortality. Limited research has been done thus far on the practice and perceptions of breastfeeding in Sierra Leone, where more than 10 % of children die before the age of five. This study aimed to gain understanding into and explore both matters in order to develop recommendations for effective strategies to promote breastfeeding practice in Pujehun District, Southern Sierra Leone. METHODS: This exploratory mixed-method study included a cross-sectional survey of 194 mothers, semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. Logistic regression analysis was used calculated odds ratios of factors associated with primarily breastfeeding practice, defined as 'Children under six months of age who are fed with breast milk only and children older than six months of age that were exclusively breastfed up to six months', based on recall from birth. Exclusive breastfeeding rate was based on breastfeeding practice 24 h prior to the survey. Qualitative data was analysed through a deductive approach, using a pre-determined framework on determinants of breastfeeding. RESULTS: This study revealed an exclusive breastfeeding rate of 62.8% (95% CI 53.9, 71.7); dropping from 74% in the 0-1-month age group to 33% in the 4-5 months group. Triangulation of qualitative and quantitative data revealed enabling factors for primarily breastfeeding practice included mothers receiving support during their first breastfeed, pregnant women being provided with information on the benefits of the practice, counselling by nurses, support from husbands, and women's awareness of how their friends and family members fed their own babies. The main barriers were a lack of encouragement by husbands, women's perception that their infants' stools were abnormal or that they were not producing enough breast milk. CONCLUSIONS: Although the exclusive breastfeeding may have risen over recent years, a gap remains compared to World Health Organization recommendations. According to the breastfeeding determinants identified in this study, promotion of counselling by a nurse, encouragement of husbands' support, and improve knowledge of mothers on breastfeeding are recommended to be incorporated in the design of future health programs.
BACKGROUND: It is well established that exclusive breastfeeding can play a critical role in reducing child morbidity and mortality. Limited research has been done thus far on the practice and perceptions of breastfeeding in Sierra Leone, where more than 10 % of children die before the age of five. This study aimed to gain understanding into and explore both matters in order to develop recommendations for effective strategies to promote breastfeeding practice in Pujehun District, Southern Sierra Leone. METHODS: This exploratory mixed-method study included a cross-sectional survey of 194 mothers, semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. Logistic regression analysis was used calculated odds ratios of factors associated with primarily breastfeeding practice, defined as 'Children under six months of age who are fed with breast milk only and children older than six months of age that were exclusively breastfed up to six months', based on recall from birth. Exclusive breastfeeding rate was based on breastfeeding practice 24 h prior to the survey. Qualitative data was analysed through a deductive approach, using a pre-determined framework on determinants of breastfeeding. RESULTS: This study revealed an exclusive breastfeeding rate of 62.8% (95% CI 53.9, 71.7); dropping from 74% in the 0-1-month age group to 33% in the 4-5 months group. Triangulation of qualitative and quantitative data revealed enabling factors for primarily breastfeeding practice included mothers receiving support during their first breastfeed, pregnant women being provided with information on the benefits of the practice, counselling by nurses, support from husbands, and women's awareness of how their friends and family members fed their own babies. The main barriers were a lack of encouragement by husbands, women's perception that their infants' stools were abnormal or that they were not producing enough breast milk. CONCLUSIONS: Although the exclusive breastfeeding may have risen over recent years, a gap remains compared to World Health Organization recommendations. According to the breastfeeding determinants identified in this study, promotion of counselling by a nurse, encouragement of husbands' support, and improve knowledge of mothers on breastfeeding are recommended to be incorporated in the design of future health programs.
Entities:
Keywords:
Breastfeeding; Child health; Determinants; Mix-method; Sierra Leone