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. 2015 Dec;18(18):3287-99.
doi: 10.1017/S136898001500052X. Epub 2015 Mar 18.

Determinants of trends in breast-feeding indicators in Nigeria, 1999-2013

Felix Akpojene Ogbo  1 , Andrew Page  1 , Kingsley E Agho  1 , Fernanda Claudio  2
Affiliations

Determinants of trends in breast-feeding indicators in Nigeria, 1999-2013

Felix Akpojene Ogbo et al. Public Health Nutr. 2015 Dec.

Abstract

Objective: The present study aimed to examine the trends and differentials in key breast-feeding indicators in Nigeria for the period 1999-2013.

Design: Longitudinal study of trends (1999-2013) in optimal feeding practices using a series of population-based Nigerian Demographic and Health Surveys. Trends in socio-economic, health service and individual characteristics associated with key breast-feeding indicators were examined using multilevel regression analyses.

Setting: Nigeria.

Subjects: Children (n 88 152) aged under 24 months (n 8199 in 1999; n 7620 in 2003; n 33 385 in 2008; n 38 948 in 2013).

Results: Among educated mothers, there was an increase in prevalence of exclusive breast-feeding (26% in 1999 to 30% in 2013) and predominant breast-feeding (27% in 1999 to 39% in 2013) compared with mothers with no schooling. A similar increasing trend was evident for mothers from wealthier households and mothers who had a higher frequency of health service access compared with mothers from poorer households and women who reported no health service access, respectively. Mothers with no schooling predominantly breast-fed, but the odds for bottle-feeding were higher among educated mothers and women from wealthier households. The odds for early initiation of breast-feeding were lower for mothers who reported no health service contacts and mothers of lower socio-economic status.

Conclusions: Significant increasing trends in key breast-feeding indicators were evident among mothers with higher socio-economic status and mothers who had more health service access in Nigeria. Broader national and sub-national policies that underpin nursing mothers in work environments and a comprehensive community-based approach are proposed to improve feeding practices in Nigeria.

Keywords: Breast-feeding; Mortality; Nigeria; Trends.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Trends in key breast-feeding indicators by mother’s education level (formula image, no education; formula image, primary education; formula image, secondary and above education): (a) early initiation of breast-feeding; (b) exclusive breast-feeding; (c) predominant breast-feeding; (d) bottle-feeding. Nigeria, 1999–2013
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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