Determinants of infant and young child feeding practices in Nepal : secondary data analysis of demographic and health survey 2006

Abstract

Background: Childhood undernutrition and mortality
are high in Nepal, and therefore interventions on infant
and young child feeding practices deserve high priority.
Objective. To estimate infant and young child feeding
indicators and the determinants of selected feeding
practices.

Methods: The sample consisted of 1,906 children aged
0 to 23 months from the Demographic and Health Survey
2006. Selected indicators were examined against a set of
variables using univariate and multivariate analyses.
Results. Breastfeeding was initiated within the first
hour after birth in 35.4% of children, 99.5% were ever
breastfed, 98.1% were currently breastfed, and 3.5%
were bottle-fed. The rate of exclusive breastfeeding
among infants under 6 months of age was 53.1%, and
the rate of timely complementary feeding among those 6
to 9 months of age was 74.7%. Mothers who made antenatal
clinic visits were at a higher risk for no exclusive
breastfeeding than those who made no visits. Mothers
who lived in the mountains were more likely to initiate
breastfeeding within 1 hour after birth and to introduce
complementary feeding at 6 to 9 months of age, but less
likely to exclusively breastfeed. Cesarean deliveries were
associated with delay in timely initiation of breastfeeding.
Higher rates of complementary feeding at 6 to 9 months
were also associated with mothers with better education
and those above 35 years of age. Risk factors for
bottle-feeding included living in urban areas and births
attended by trained health personnel.

Conclusions: Most breastfeeding indicators in Nepal
are below the expected levels to achieve a substantial
reduction in child mortality. Breastfeeding promotion
strategies should specifically target mothers who have
more contact with the health care delivery system, while
programs targeting the entire community should be
continued.