Core and optional infant and young child feeding indicators in Sub-Saharan Africa: a cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

The objective of the study is to determine the status of infant and young child feeding (IYCF) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) based on multiple indicators.

Design

Secondary data analysis of 32 Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in SSA since 2010.

Setting

Thirty-two countries in SSA.

Participants

151 575 infants and young children born in the preceding 2 years of the surveys.

Indicators determined

Eight core and six optional IYCF indicators.

Results

Majority (95.8%) of the children born in the preceding 24 months were ever breastfed, and 50.5% initiated breastfeeding within the first hour of birth. Among infants 0-5 months of age, 72.3% were predominantly breastfed and 41.0% were exclusively breastfed. Continued breastfeeding at 1 year

SUBMITTER: Gebremedhin S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6377519 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature