Factors Associated with Duration of Breastfeeding in Bangladesh: Evidence from Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2014
Abstract Background: Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways for reducing infant mortality and confirming optimal growth and development of children. The aim of this study was to find the effect of socio-demographic determinants on duration of breastfeeding among Bangladeshi mothers.Methods: The data was extracted from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS)-2014. A total of 3541 married non–pregnant Bangladeshi mothers in reproductive age who had at least one child aged 6-36 months were included. Independent sample t-test and ANOVA were used to find the significance deference in duration of breastfeeding between two and more than two groups respectively. Multiple linear regression model was utilized to determine the effect of some quantitative variables on duration of breastfeeding among Bangladeshi mothers. Results: This study raveled that the mean duration of breastfeeding among Bangladeshi mothers was 18.91±7.98 (95% CI: 18.65-19.17) and median was 19.00 month. Independent sample t-test provided that short duration of breastfeeding was observed among; (i) mothers received antenatal care facilities during their pregnancy period, (ii) Muslim and (iii) delivered their last child by caesarean section. ANOVA showed that duration of breastfeeding significantly influenced by (i) parents’ education, (ii) geographical location and (iii) household wealth quintile. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that mothers’ age, mothers’ body mass index, total number of children and mothers’ mothers’ age at first birth were important predictors of duration of breastfeeding.Conclusion: Health care providers and decision makers can consider these findings to make plan for counseling of mothers and family members to promote optimal duration of breastfeeding practice in first three years of baby’s life.