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Factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months among caregivers of children under five years in northern Ghana: A cross-sectional study

Author

Listed:
  • Gretchen H Thompson
  • Eunice Sefa
  • Ashwini S Deshpande
  • Ransford Mensah
  • Rachel Lenzi-Weisbecker
  • Rose Wilder
  • Thad Pennas
  • Andres Martinez
  • Kingsley K Boadi
  • Adnan Abdul-Hamid
  • Godwin Asabire
  • Dacosta Aboagye
  • Eliasu Yakubu
  • Abdulai Abubakari
  • David Yao Mensah

Abstract

Despite consistent evidence highlighting the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for the first six months, EBF duration sometimes falls short of six months or exceeds it. This research seeks to explore factors influencing the practice of optimal duration of EBF and identify factors associated with suboptimal EBF durations. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 16 districts across four Northern regions of Ghana with 2000 caregivers of children under five years old. The analysis specifically focused on a subset of 1761 biological mothers. Logistic regression was conducted to discern socio-demographic, care-seeking, and behavioral determinants influencing the practice of EBF for a six-month duration. Additionally, multinomial logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with suboptimal EBF durations, categorized as less than and beyond six months. All biological mothers breastfed their youngest child, varying in durations: 75% exclusively breastfed for six months, 19.2% for less than six months, and 5.9% for beyond six months. Several behavioral determinants influenced EBF for six months, with biological mothers ’ confidence in their ability to EBF (aOR: 6.8 95% CI, 4.13–11.33), willingness to recommend EBF practice to friends and family (aOR: 10.5 95% CI, 4.13–26.62) and perception of practicing EBF as normative in the community showing statistically significant associations (aOR: 6.3, 95% CI, 4.41–9.10). Education and religion of biological mothers were also significantly associated with EBF for six months. While there was overlap in behavioral factors associated with EBF for less than and beyond six months, the socio-demographic characteristics of biological mothers associated with these suboptimal durations of EBF differed. Among the factors included in this study, social norms, caregiver confidence, and approval of EBF were key factors influencing the recommended duration of EBF practices. These findings highlight the importance of community and cultural contexts in shaping biological mothers’ behavior and emphasize the need to address socio-cultural barriers and facilitators that influence EBF practices, as well as empower biological mothers to adopt and sustain these practices.

Suggested Citation

  • Gretchen H Thompson & Eunice Sefa & Ashwini S Deshpande & Ransford Mensah & Rachel Lenzi-Weisbecker & Rose Wilder & Thad Pennas & Andres Martinez & Kingsley K Boadi & Adnan Abdul-Hamid & Godwin Asabir, 2024. "Factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months among caregivers of children under five years in northern Ghana: A cross-sectional study," PLOS Global Public Health, Public Library of Science, vol. 4(11), pages 1-16, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:plo:pgph00:0003887
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0003887
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bicchieri, Cristina & Das, Upasak & Gant, Samuel & Sander, Rachel, 2022. "Examining norms and social expectations surrounding exclusive breastfeeding: Evidence from Mali," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 153(C).
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