Relationship between breastfeeding duration and undernutrition conditions among children aged 0-3 Years in Pakistan
Batool Syeda1,2, Kingsley Agho1, Leigh Wilson1,3
1Western Sydney University, School of Science and Health, Narellan Road, Campbelltown, NSW, 2570, Australia.
Insights
Prolonged breastfeeding in Pakistan is linked to increased stunting in children. Educating mothers on the risks of extended breastfeeding is crucial to reduce childhood undernutrition and improve child growth outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Nutrition Science
Background:
- The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends breastfeeding up to two years, but global studies show mixed results on its impact on child development.
- Undernutrition remains a significant concern in many developing countries, necessitating research into contributing factors.
- This study investigates the relationship between breastfeeding duration and undernutrition in young children in Pakistan.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the association between the duration of breastfeeding and undernutrition in children aged 0-3 years in Pakistan.
- To provide evidence-based recommendations for public health interventions aimed at reducing childhood undernutrition.
Main Methods:
- Secondary analysis of the Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey (2013-2014).
- Inclusion of 1072 children aged 3 years and under.
- Multiple logistic regression analysis to estimate the relationship between breastfeeding duration and undernutrition status, adjusted for covariates.
Main Results:
- Prevalence of stunting, wasting, and underweight were 40.6%, 15.8%, and 33.9% respectively.
- Children breastfed in their second and third year of life showed significantly higher odds of being stunted and severely stunted compared to those breastfed in their second year.
- No significant association was found between breastfeeding duration and wasting or underweight.
Conclusions:
- Breastfeeding in the second and third year of life is significantly associated with stunting and severe stunting in Pakistani children.
- Maternal education on the risks of prolonged breastfeeding is essential to mitigate the burden of undernutrition.
- Interventions targeting optimal breastfeeding duration are needed to improve child nutritional status in Pakistan.
Background:
The World Health Organization recommends that a child should be breastfed up to 2 years of age as it is essential for proper growth and development but population-based studies around the world have found conflicting results on the subject. Our study aims to analyze whether there is a relationship between the duration of breastfeeding and undernutrition among children aged from birth up to 3 years of age in Pakistan.
Methods:
A secondary analysis of the Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey 2013-2014 with 1072 children aged 3 years and under was conducted. The relationship between breastfeeding duration and undernutrition status was estimated through multiple logistic regression analysis.
Results:
The prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight were 40.6%, 15.8% and 33.9% respectively, while prevalence of severe stunting is at 22.5%; severe wasting at 4.5% and severe underweight at 12.2% in children in our study. Odds of being stunted were significantly higher for children in their 3rd year of life [AOR: 4.35, CI 95% = (2.01, 9.33)] compared to children being breastfed in their 2nd year of life [AOR: 2.43, CI 95% = (1.55, 3.79) after being adjusted for maternal, child, demographic and healthcare access variables. Similarly, children being breastfed in their third year of life were more susceptible to developing severe stunting [AOR: 6.19, CI 95% = (3.31, 11.56)] in comparison to children in their second year [AOR: 2.84, CI 95% = (1.81, 4.46)]. There was no significant association between breastfeeding and wasting/severe wasting, or between breastfeeding and underweight/severe underweight.
Conclusion:
Breastfeeding in the 2nd and 3rd year of life was found to have significant relationship with stunting and severe stunting. Mothers need to be educated about the risks of prolonged breastfeeding to reduce the burden of undernutrition in the country.
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