Does Breastfeeding Have an Effect on Infant Mortality in India? An Analysis of National Family Health Survey Data

Chandhiok, Nomita and Singh, Lucky and Singh, Kh. Jitenkumar and Sahu, Damodar and Pandey, Arvind (2015) Does Breastfeeding Have an Effect on Infant Mortality in India? An Analysis of National Family Health Survey Data. Open Journal of Preventive Medicine, 05 (09). pp. 359-369. ISSN 2162-2477

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Abstract

Introduction: Sub-optimal infant and early childhood feeding practices in India contribute to the high burden of child under-nutrition and infant death. Objective: To study the effect of breast-feeding duration on the survival of infants along with other demographic, socioeconomic and service related factors and to compare the decadal changes in the association. Methods: A total of 36,754 and 26,782 births less than 3 years of age from two rounds of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) carried out in India during 1992-1993 (NFHS-1), and 2005-2006 (NFHS-3) respectively comprised the sample. Infant mortality was examined against a set of variables and breastfeeding as a time dependent covariate using multivariate extended Cox regression model. Results: Hazard of infant death observed in NFHS-3 (2005-2006) was 18 percent less [HR = 0.82; 95% CI = 0.759 - 0.879] as compared to that observed in NFHS-1 (1992-1993). After adjustment of other factors, the risk of infant death was 97% less amongst children who were breastfed [HR = 0.03; 95% CI = 0.029 - 0.033] as compared to those who were not breastfed. In contrast to rural area, babies belonging to urban area had an 18 percent less hazard of death during the infancy period [HR = 0.82]. Hazard of infant death was less among births to mothers with higher maternal education levels [HR = 0.93] and in those who were in gainful occupation [HR = 0.91]. The risk of infant death was higher in babies perceived to be small at birth [HR = 1.40] and belonging to states with medium post neonatal mortality rate (PNMR) [HR = 1.23; 95% CI = 1.112 - 1.371] and high PNMR [HR = 1.46; 95% CI = 1.327 - 1.609] in contrast to those born to women belonging to states with low post neonatal mortality. Conclusion: Promotion and implementation of evidenced based strategies are needed in India to combat the high rates of child under-nutrition and infant and child mortality.

Item Type: Article
Subjects: ScienceOpen Library > Medical Science
Depositing User: Managing Editor
Date Deposited: 10 Feb 2023 07:52
Last Modified: 12 Aug 2024 11:25
URI: http://scholar.researcherseuropeans.com/id/eprint/480

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