Time trends and determinants of breastfeeding practices among adolescents and young women in Nigeria, 2003–2018

Abstract

IntroductionOptimal breastfeeding practices have far-reaching health and economic benefits. Evidence suggests disparities in breastfeeding practices by maternal age-groups, with younger mothers often having lower rates of breastfeeding initiation, continuation and exclusivity compared with older mothers. There is limited knowledge of trends and factors associated with breastfeeding practices, particularly among adolescent and younger mothers in Nigeria. We examine key breastfeeding practices in Nigeria over a 15-year period, comparing adolescent mothers to young women.MethodsWe used four Nigeria Demographic and Health Surveys collected between 2003 and 2018. We constructed six key breastfeeding indicators to cover the time period of breastfeeding from initiation to child age 24 months in women of three maternal age groups at the time of birth: young adolescents (<18 years), older adolescents (18–19.9 years) and young women (20–24.9 years). We used logistic regression to examine the association between maternal age group and select breastfeeding behaviours on the 2018 survey.ResultsAnalysis showed an increase in optimal breastfeeding practices across the four surveys and among all maternal age groups examined. Adolescent mothers had consistently lower prevalence for three of the six key breastfeeding indicators: early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding <6 months and no prelacteal feed. Compared with young women, adolescent mothers had a higher prevalence of continued breastfeeding at 1 and 2 years. In multivariate analysis, we found that maternal age group was not associated with early breastfeeding initiation or with exclusive breastfeeding <6 months. However, several sociodemographic (ethnicity, region of residence) and healthcare-related (mode of delivery, antenatal care, postnatal breastfeeding counselling) factors were strongly associated with these two practices.ConclusionsIn Nigeria, there is need to better support breastfeeding and nutritional practices in adolescents and young women focusing on ethnic groups (Hausa, Fulani, Kanuri/Beriberi) and geographic regions (South East) that are lagging behind.

Breastfeeding Practices among Adolescent Mothers and Associated Factors in Bangladesh (2004–2014)

“…Our study found that adolescent mothers aged <18 years reported a decreased likelihood of EIBF compared to those aged 18–19 years. This finding was consistent with a cross-sectional study conducted in Nigeria which found that EIBF among adolescent mothers aged 12–18 years reduced by the crude odds of 36% compared with young women (20–24.9 years) [ 38 ]. Younger mothers lack experience, education, attitude and the necessary social support required for the appropriate breastfeeding practices [ 26 ].…”

“…It was observed that adolescent mothers who had no ANC visit during pregnancy reported delayed initiation of breastfeeding. This finding supported a cross-sectional study conducted in Bangladesh [ 18 ] and India [ 23 ] that no ANC visit during pregnancy was less likely to EIBF but contradicts a cross-sectional study that examined trends and factors associated with breastfeeding practices among adolescent and younger mothers in Nigeria that found adolescent mothers who had ANC were less likely to delay breastfeeding initiation [ 38 ]. A past study conducted in Bangladesh indicated that among women that had ANC, about half of them were accompanied by their partners/husbands to the health facility [ 40 ].…”

“…The household wealth index factor score for the datasets was pooled and was divided into quintiles. We then created a new variable (called the household wealth index) for the quintiles and the bottom 20% of households was arbitrarily referred to as the poorest households, the next 20% as the poorer households and the top 20% as the richest households as used in past studies [ 23 , 38 ] ( Supplementary Table S1 ).…”

Pooled Prevalence and Determinants of Prelacteal Feeding Practice in Eastern Africa Evidence from Demographic and Health Survey Data: A Multilevel Study

“…31 , 41 However, mothers who deliver at home are less likely to realize the importance of exclusive breastfeeding and the harms of pre-lacteal feeding as they are supported by a conventional birth attendant who promotes the practice of prelacteal feeding. Even, in line with a study conducted in Eastern Ethiopia, 53 Nigeria, 54 and Pakistan. 6 In this study, delayed initiation of ANC visits was more likely to practice prelacteal feeding in Eastern Africa in line with other studies.…”

Caesarean section rate in Nigeria between 2013 and 2018 by obstetric risk and socio‐economic status

“…Yoruba, Igala, Tiv; and 4. Other) [34], highest level of maternal education (no education; incomplete primary/completed primary; incomplete secondary/completed secondary; higher), maternal age group at the time of the birth (<20; 20-24.9; 25-29.9; 30-34.9; >35), marital status at the time of survey (married/cohabiting or not), wantedness of pregnancy (wanted at the time or unwanted/mistimed), sex of the baby (male; female), birthweight ('very small/ small', 'average' or 'larger than average'), type of pregnancy (singleton; multiple), parity at last live birth (0, 1-3, 4+), place of birth (public primary, public hospital, private facilities), referral during childbirth (yes/no), and number of antenatal visits (none, 1-3, 4-7, 8+). The household wealth index score was calculated using principal component analysis on the basis of household assets and household characteristics.…”