Factors Associated with Bottle Feeding in Namibia: Findings from Namibia 2013 Demographic and Health Survey.

AIM

The aim of this study is to examine the prevalence of bottle feeding (BF) among children aged 0-23 months and factors associated with BF in Namibia.

METHODS

Data from Namibia 2013 Demographic Health Survey were used for the study. The study covered last-born alive children aged 0-23 months, making up 1926 mother-baby pairs. Chi-square tests and binary logistic regression were used to test for association between BF and related factors.

RESULTS

Prevalence of BF in Namibia was 35.7%. In the multivariate analysis, the following factors were significantly associated with increased risk of BF: working mothers, hospital delivery, increasing child age, higher mother's educational status, higher wealth quintile and urban residence.

CONCLUSION

To achieve a substantial decrease in bottle usage rate in Namibia, breastfeeding promotion programmes should target all mothers but especially those at risk of BF highlighted in the study.