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A Common Marmoset Model of Mother-Infant Intervention for Breastfeeding Disorders in the Presence of Paternal Inhibition and Maternal Neglect
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Patterns and determinants of breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices in urban informal settlements, Nairobi

Elizabeth W Kimani-Murage1, Nyovani J Madise, Jean-Christophe Fotso

  • 1African Population and Health Research Center, Nairobi, Kenya. lizmurage@gmail.com

BMC Public Health
|May 28, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Exclusive breastfeeding is rare in Nairobi slums, with many infants not breastfed within the first hour or receiving other liquids. Adherence to World Health Organisation (WHO) infant feeding guidelines is poor.

Area of Science:

  • Global Health
  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health

Background:

  • The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for optimal infant health.
  • Complementary foods should be introduced at six months.
  • Limited data exists on infant feeding practices in sub-Saharan African urban slums.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess breastfeeding and infant feeding practices in Nairobi slums.
  • To evaluate these practices against WHO recommendations.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal study of 4299 children in two Nairobi slums (2006-2010).
  • Interviews on breastfeeding and complementary feeding at recruitment and two four-monthly intervals.
  • Cox proportional hazard analysis to identify factors associated with suboptimal practices.

Main Results:

  • Universal breastfeeding initiation (99%), but suboptimal early practices (37% not breastfed in first hour, 40% received other liquids within 3 days).
  • Exclusive breastfeeding for six months was very low (approx. 2%).
  • Factors influencing practices include child's sex, birth size, mother's marital status, ethnicity, education, family planning, place of delivery, and slum of residence.

Conclusions:

  • Significant gaps exist in adherence to WHO breastfeeding and infant feeding recommendations in Nairobi slums.
  • Interventions should address cultural practices, healthcare access, child feeding education, and family planning.
  • Further research is needed to understand and improve infant feeding in urban slum settings.
Abstract

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