Sex inequality in early initiation of breastfeeding in 24 sub-Saharan African countries: A multi-country analysis of Demographic and Health Surveys.

Bolarinwa, OA; Ahinkorah, BO; Arthur-Holmes, F; Aboagye, RG; Kwabena Ameyaw, E; Budu, E; Seidu, A-A; Ighodalo, UL; Yaya, S

Sex inequality in early initiation of breastfeeding in 24 sub-Saharan African countries: A multi-country analysis of Demographic and Health Surveys.

Bolarinwa, OA Ahinkorah, BO Arthur-Holmes, F Aboagye, RG Kwabena Ameyaw, E Budu, E Seidu, A-A Ighodalo, UL Yaya, S

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Publisher:: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: PLoS One, 2022, 17, (5), pp. 1-14
Issue Date:: 2022

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Bolarinwa, OA
dc.contributor.author	Ahinkorah, BO
dc.contributor.author	Arthur-Holmes, F
dc.contributor.author	Aboagye, RG
dc.contributor.author	Kwabena Ameyaw, E
dc.contributor.author	Budu, E
dc.contributor.author	Seidu, A-A
dc.contributor.author	Ighodalo, UL
dc.contributor.author	Yaya, S
dc.date.accessioned	2022-11-30T00:47:23Z
dc.date.available	2022-04-13
dc.date.available	2022-11-30T00:47:23Z
dc.date.issued	2022
dc.identifier.citation	PLoS One, 2022, 17, (5), pp. 1-14
dc.identifier.issn	1932-6203
dc.identifier.issn	1932-6203
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/163854
dc.description.abstract	BACKGROUND: The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 aims at reducing neonatal and under-5 mortality to below 12 per 1000 and 25 per 1000 live births, respectively, globally by 2030. Studies have found that initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of birth and continuous breastfeeding for over 12 months can positively impact neonatal and infant health. However, there is evidence that the sex of a child may influence the breastfeeding practices of a mother. Thus, we examined sex inequality in early breastfeeding initiation in sub-Saharan Africa. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in 24 sub-Saharan African countries between January 2010 and December 2019 were pooled and analysed. A total of 137,677 women of reproductive age (15-49 years) were considered in this study. Bivariate and multivariable regression analyses were performed, and the results were presented using crude odds ratio (cOR) and adjusted odds ratio (aOR) with statistical significance at a p-value less than 0.05. RESULTS: The highest inequality in early initiation of breastfeeding was reported in Togo with a difference of 5.21% between the female and male children, while the lowest inequality was reported in Guinea with 0.48% difference between the female and male children. A higher odds of breastfeeding within 1 hour was observed among female children [cOR = 1.05; 95%(CI = 1.02-1.09)] compared to male children, and this persisted after controlling for the confounders included in this study [aOR = 1.05; 95%(CI = 1.02-1.08)]. CONCLUSION: We found higher odds for early breastfeeding initiation of female children compared to male children in sub-Saharan Africa. To reduce breastfeeding initiation inequalities, programmes that educate and encourage early initiation of breastfeeding irrespective of the child sex should be promoted among mothers.
dc.format	Electronic-eCollection
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	Public Library of Science (PLoS)
dc.relation.ispartof	PLoS One
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1371/journal.pone.0267703
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject.classification	General Science & Technology
dc.subject.mesh	Adolescent
dc.subject.mesh	Adult
dc.subject.mesh	Africa South of the Sahara
dc.subject.mesh	Breast Feeding
dc.subject.mesh	Child
dc.subject.mesh	Demography
dc.subject.mesh	Female
dc.subject.mesh	Health Surveys
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Infant
dc.subject.mesh	Infant, Newborn
dc.subject.mesh	Live Birth
dc.subject.mesh	Male
dc.subject.mesh	Middle Aged
dc.subject.mesh	Mothers
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnancy
dc.subject.mesh	Young Adult
dc.subject.mesh	Adolescent
dc.subject.mesh	Adult
dc.subject.mesh	Africa South of the Sahara
dc.subject.mesh	Breast Feeding
dc.subject.mesh	Child
dc.subject.mesh	Demography
dc.subject.mesh	Female
dc.subject.mesh	Health Surveys
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Infant
dc.subject.mesh	Infant, Newborn
dc.subject.mesh	Live Birth
dc.subject.mesh	Male
dc.subject.mesh	Middle Aged
dc.subject.mesh	Mothers
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnancy
dc.subject.mesh	Young Adult
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Health Surveys
dc.subject.mesh	Mothers
dc.subject.mesh	Demography
dc.subject.mesh	Breast Feeding
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnancy
dc.subject.mesh	Adolescent
dc.subject.mesh	Adult
dc.subject.mesh	Middle Aged
dc.subject.mesh	Child
dc.subject.mesh	Infant
dc.subject.mesh	Infant, Newborn
dc.subject.mesh	Africa South of the Sahara
dc.subject.mesh	Female
dc.subject.mesh	Male
dc.subject.mesh	Live Birth
dc.subject.mesh	Young Adult
dc.title	Sex inequality in early initiation of breastfeeding in 24 sub-Saharan African countries: A multi-country analysis of Demographic and Health Surveys.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	17
utslib.location.activity	United States
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Public Health
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
pubs.consider-herdc	false
dc.date.updated	2022-11-30T00:47:16Z
pubs.issue	5
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	17
utslib.citation.issue	5

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 aims at reducing neonatal and under-5 mortality to below 12 per 1000 and 25 per 1000 live births, respectively, globally by 2030. Studies have found that initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of birth and continuous breastfeeding for over 12 months can positively impact neonatal and infant health. However, there is evidence that the sex of a child may influence the breastfeeding practices of a mother. Thus, we examined sex inequality in early breastfeeding initiation in sub-Saharan Africa. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in 24 sub-Saharan African countries between January 2010 and December 2019 were pooled and analysed. A total of 137,677 women of reproductive age (15-49 years) were considered in this study. Bivariate and multivariable regression analyses were performed, and the results were presented using crude odds ratio (cOR) and adjusted odds ratio (aOR) with statistical significance at a p-value less than 0.05. RESULTS: The highest inequality in early initiation of breastfeeding was reported in Togo with a difference of 5.21% between the female and male children, while the lowest inequality was reported in Guinea with 0.48% difference between the female and male children. A higher odds of breastfeeding within 1 hour was observed among female children [cOR = 1.05; 95%(CI = 1.02-1.09)] compared to male children, and this persisted after controlling for the confounders included in this study [aOR = 1.05; 95%(CI = 1.02-1.08)]. CONCLUSION: We found higher odds for early breastfeeding initiation of female children compared to male children in sub-Saharan Africa. To reduce breastfeeding initiation inequalities, programmes that educate and encourage early initiation of breastfeeding irrespective of the child sex should be promoted among mothers.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/163854