Postpartum Breastfeeding Promotion and Duration of Exclusive Breastfeeding in Western Nepal

Background: Encouragement and skills provided to mothers during the postpartum period have been found to be successful in increasing exclusive breastfeeding rates. However, evidence from developing countries is limited. This study aimed to ascertain whether education and skill support provided by he...

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Main Authors: Khanal, V., Lee, A., Karkee, R., Binns, Colin
Format: Journal Article
Published: Blackwell Publishing Inc. 2015
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/30182
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author Khanal, V.
Lee, A.
Karkee, R.
Binns, Colin
author_facet Khanal, V.
Lee, A.
Karkee, R.
Binns, Colin
author_sort Khanal, V.
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Background: Encouragement and skills provided to mothers during the postpartum period have been found to be successful in increasing exclusive breastfeeding rates. However, evidence from developing countries is limited. This study aimed to ascertain whether education and skill support provided by health workers during the postpartum period were associated with increased duration of exclusive breastfeeding in Western Nepal. Methods: A community-based prospective cohort study was conducted between January and October 2014, in the Rupandehi district of Nepal. Information on breastfeeding promotion provided by health workers after birth was collected from 649 mothers. The association between breastfeeding promotion and exclusive breastfeeding was investigated using multivariable Cox regression analysis. Results: Of the 649 mothers, 35 percent received all eight types of breastfeeding promotion advice, and 60 percent received six or more such types of advice. Breastfeeding promotion, such as "breastfeeding on demand" (hazard ratio [HR] 0.74 [95% CI 0.59-0.92]) and "not to provide pacifier or teats" (HR 0.82 [95% CI 0.68-0.97]), were significantly associated with a lower risk of exclusive breastfeeding cessation. The dose-response relationship was also significant for the number of advices received (HR 0.94 [95% CI 0.90-0.97]). Conclusions: This study provides evidence that breastfeeding education and support immediately after childbirth could increase the duration of breastfeeding. The results suggest further attention to breastfeeding promotion in all maternity hospitals and birthing centers through skilled birth attendants.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-301822017-09-13T15:30:25Z Postpartum Breastfeeding Promotion and Duration of Exclusive Breastfeeding in Western Nepal Khanal, V. Lee, A. Karkee, R. Binns, Colin Background: Encouragement and skills provided to mothers during the postpartum period have been found to be successful in increasing exclusive breastfeeding rates. However, evidence from developing countries is limited. This study aimed to ascertain whether education and skill support provided by health workers during the postpartum period were associated with increased duration of exclusive breastfeeding in Western Nepal. Methods: A community-based prospective cohort study was conducted between January and October 2014, in the Rupandehi district of Nepal. Information on breastfeeding promotion provided by health workers after birth was collected from 649 mothers. The association between breastfeeding promotion and exclusive breastfeeding was investigated using multivariable Cox regression analysis. Results: Of the 649 mothers, 35 percent received all eight types of breastfeeding promotion advice, and 60 percent received six or more such types of advice. Breastfeeding promotion, such as "breastfeeding on demand" (hazard ratio [HR] 0.74 [95% CI 0.59-0.92]) and "not to provide pacifier or teats" (HR 0.82 [95% CI 0.68-0.97]), were significantly associated with a lower risk of exclusive breastfeeding cessation. The dose-response relationship was also significant for the number of advices received (HR 0.94 [95% CI 0.90-0.97]). Conclusions: This study provides evidence that breastfeeding education and support immediately after childbirth could increase the duration of breastfeeding. The results suggest further attention to breastfeeding promotion in all maternity hospitals and birthing centers through skilled birth attendants. 2015 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/30182 10.1111/birt.12184 Blackwell Publishing Inc. restricted
spellingShingle Khanal, V.
Lee, A.
Karkee, R.
Binns, Colin
Postpartum Breastfeeding Promotion and Duration of Exclusive Breastfeeding in Western Nepal
title Postpartum Breastfeeding Promotion and Duration of Exclusive Breastfeeding in Western Nepal
title_full Postpartum Breastfeeding Promotion and Duration of Exclusive Breastfeeding in Western Nepal
title_fullStr Postpartum Breastfeeding Promotion and Duration of Exclusive Breastfeeding in Western Nepal
title_full_unstemmed Postpartum Breastfeeding Promotion and Duration of Exclusive Breastfeeding in Western Nepal
title_short Postpartum Breastfeeding Promotion and Duration of Exclusive Breastfeeding in Western Nepal
title_sort postpartum breastfeeding promotion and duration of exclusive breastfeeding in western nepal
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/30182