Prevalence of breast‐feeding and its correlates in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

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Abstract
Background: The health benefits of breast‐feeding are widely acknowledged and breast‐feeding is crucial for the survival of the infants in developing countries. The present study aims to elucidate the prevalence of breast‐feeding and the possible risk factors affecting the breast‐feeding of infants at the age of 3 months in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam after the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund launched ‘the Baby‐Friendly Hospital’ Initiative in 1989.Methods: A cross‐sectional study was conducted in the urban areas of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam in February, 2000. Two hundred and sixty mother‐infant pairs were conveniently recruited in three child health centers in Ho Chi Minh City. Mothers of infants aged 6–12 months were interviewed and completed a well‐structured questionnaire regarding the feeding types of the infant, the maternal knowledge, attitudes and behaviors related to breast‐feeding.Results: The results indicated that although about 86.4% newborns in the maternity wards and 88.5% infants at 3 months were at least partially fed with breast milk, the prevalence of breast‐feeding were 57.4 and 53.1%, respectively. About 47.5% newborns were fed with breast milk in the first feeding. The multivariate logistic regression analysis shows that the risk factors for the introduction of breast milk substitutes at 3 months of age were maternal antenatal plan of mixed or artificial feeding (odds ratio (OR) = 6.59, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.18–13.64,P < 0.001) and the supplement of breast milk substitutes in the maternity ward (OR = 4.30, 95% CI: 2.10–8.77,P < 0.001). Higher maternal education levels were beneficial to the continuation of breast‐feeding. About 18.5% mothers had attended antenatal breast‐feeding education. Most of the mothers (94.1%) and families (95.4%) indicated supportive attitudes to breast‐feeding.Conclusion: The prevalence of breast‐feeding was relatively low in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The antenatal education in breast‐feeding needs to be improved and the implementation of the ‘Baby‐Friendly Hospital’ policy needs to be strengthened.