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Maternal determinants of optimal breastfeeding and complementary feeding and their association with child undernutrition in Malawi (2015–2016)
Authors: Christine N. Walters, Hasina Rakotomanana, Joel J. Komakech, and Barbara J. Stoecker
Source: BMC Public Health, 19(1): 1-12; DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-7877-8
Topic(s): Breastfeeding
Child feeding
Child health
Nutrition
Country: Africa
  Malawi
Published: NOV 2019
Abstract: Background Optimal breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices are critical to prevent child undernutrition. Despite the occurrence of child undernutrition and widespread suboptimal feeding practices in Malawi, the association of breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices and undernutrition among Malawian children remains unclear. The purpose of the study was to determine the current breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices, to identify maternal determinants of each practice, and to analyze the associations between breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices with stunting, underweight, and wasting. Methods The most recent Malawi Demographic Health Survey (2015–2016) was used and data for 2294 children aged 0–23?months were included. A conceptual framework of five maternal domains: sociodemographic, health status, health behaviors, women’s empowerment, and media exposure was used. Each domain contained exposure variables and the WHO Infant and Young Child Feeding indicators were used as outcome variables. All analyses were adjusted for clustering, and variables that reached a p-value of
Web: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-019-7877-8