Socio-demographic Factors associated with Duration of Exclusive Breastfeeding Practice among Mothers in East Malaysia

Abstract

Breastfeeding practice is common in Malaysia. However, sustaining the duration of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) practice for up to 6 months as recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) is a problem for mothers. Numerous factors are associated with this good practice and one of the important ones is the socio-demographic factors. The study examined the association of socio-demographic factors and duration of EBF practice among mothers in Kuching, East Malaysia. A cross-sectional study among 159 mothers of children in the age group of 6 – 24 months through purposive sampling attending Maternal and Child Health (MCH) clinics in Kuching division was conducted between April and Mei 2009. Data was collected using a set of supervised self-completed questionnaire on EBF practice and mother's socio-demographic factors. Factors related to duration of EBF practice were analysed using logistic regression analysis. 88.1% of mothers reported that they initiated and breastfeed their child exclusively. Only 44.3% of mothers breastfeed their child exclusively till 6 months and the others were not. Being unemployed [AOR = 2.96, (95% CI: (1.44, 6.06)] and Pribumi mothers (Malays and others ethnic groups in Sarawak namely Bidayuh, Iban and Melanau) [AOR = 4.53, (95% CI: (1.41, 14.50)] were independently associated with duration of EBF practice. The prevalence of EBF practice in Kuching division was higher than the national figures. Employed mothers were less likely to practice EBF up to 6 months, implying the need for longer maternity leave and to provide privacy to nursing mother in work places. Chinese mothers need to give more attention and to educate on benefits of EBF practice up to 6 months.