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Non-exclusive breastfeeding amongst high-risk children: Factors and barriers associated with non-exclusive breastfeeding at a tertiary care hospital in Southern India.

Background
In the first 6 months of life, non-exclusive breastfeeding (NEBF) is estimated to be the cause of 1.4 million deaths worldwide and contributes to 10% of the disease burden in under-five children.


Aims and Objectives
The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of NEBF amongst the high-risk children and the factors associated with NEBF.


Methods
This cross-sectional study was conducted amongst high-risk babies admitted between August 2016 and February 2018 who also attended the high-risk follow-up clinic at the neonatology department. Data were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. Chi-square test was used to determine the factors associated with NEBF and prevalence ratios (PR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated.


Results
Amongst 304 children, 56.3% were male and 87% had birth weight <2500 g. Nearly three-fourth of the mothers were <30 years of age. The prevalence of NEBF was 49.3% (95% CI: 43.7-55.0). There was a significant association of NEBF with employment status of the mother (PR = 1.45; 95% CI: 1.1-1.9), NEBF in previous child (PR = 2.3; 95% CI: 1.4-3.9) and EBF at the point of discharge (PR = 2.3; 95% CI: 2-2.6). The barriers reported by the mothers leading to NEBF were insufficient or less milk secretion, poor breastfeeding attachment, perceived thirst and poor maternal health.


Conclusion
One out of every two children admitted in neonatal intensive care unit were non-exclusively breastfed before 6 months of age. The employment status of mother, practice of exclusively breastfeeding the previous child and EBF at the time of discharge were significantly associated with NEBF.