Selected determinants and sequelae of exclusive breastfeeding up to six months among infants attending chosen well baby clinics in the Colombo District.

OBJECTIVES

To ascertain determinants and impact of the duration of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for four to six months on growth and incidence of respiratory tract and diarrhoeal infections

DESIGN AND SETTING

A descriptive cross-sectional study of infants aged 4-6 months, visiting selected well baby clinics in Colombo.

MEASUREMENTS

An interviewer administered questionnaire to determine duration and determinants of EBF and incidence of infections was used. Growth faltering was ascertained by perusing the growth chart.

RESULTS

The EBF rate for 4 months and beyond was 52.1% with only 3.6% being exclusively breastfed for 5 months and none for 6 months. 61% attending hospital clinics had EBF for 4 or more months as compared to 42% at community clinics. Higher level of maternal education, EBF of earlier child for longer duration, greater number of antenatal clinic visits, hearing the optimal duration of EBF via media, being well instructed on expressed breast milk and Caesarean section delivery were positively associated with EBF of 4 months and beyond. Being underweight for age (< 3rd centile) was significantly associated with longer periods of EBF, although growth faltering was not. There was no significant association between the duration of EBF and incidence of respiratory or diarrhoeal infections.

CONCLUSIONS

The EBF rate for 4 months and beyond was poor, with field clinics faring worse than hospital clinics.