Breastfeeding and Association with Diarrhoeal Diseases: A Tale of two Councils in South-Eastern Nigeria
E. C. Azuike
Department of Community Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, PMB 5027, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria.
U. C. Anyanwagu *
Department of Community Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, PMB 5027, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria and Division of Medical Sciences and Graduate Entry Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom.
S. A. Nwabueze
Department of Community Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, PMB 5027, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria.
K. M. C. Obi
Department of Community Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, PMB 5027, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria.
I. R. Nwagalaku
Department of Community Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, PMB 5027, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Diarrhoeal diseases remain the second global leading cause of infant mortality accounting more than the combined effects of AIDS, Measles, and Malaria. It remains the leading cause of under-5 mortality, in poor underdeveloped regions. The protective effects of good breastfeeding practices among infants against diarrhoeal diseases are well known, but its practice among nursing mothers remains a subject of concern.
Aim: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of diarrhoeal diseases and its association with breastfeeding amongst breastfeeding infants attending Primary Healthcare Centres (PHC) in two area councils in South-Eastern Nigeria.
Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: Selected Primary Healthcare Centres in two area councils- Nnewi-North and Nnewi-South in Anambra State of Nigeria between June and August, 2014.
Methods: Multi-staged sampling technique was applied in selecting the Health Centres and study participants. The mothers were interviewed using pretested self-administered questionnaire. Data analysis was done using STATA statistical software version 13 and the level of significance was determined at a p-value of less than 0.05.
Results: The prevalence of diarrhoeal diseases among the infants was 27%. Above half (55.0%) was within the 0-3 months age bracket, while 23.8%, 21.8% and 33.33% of exclusively, predominantly, and mixed fed infants respectively had diarrhoea. Following adjustment for maternal education and past history of diarrhoea, babies not on any form of breastfeeding were three-folds (OR: 2.93, 95%CI: 1.02-8.40) more likely than their breastfeeding counterparts to develop diarrhoeal disease. Similarly, exclusively breastfed babies were 73% (OR: 0.27, 95%CI: 0.09-0.86); and those predominantly-breastfed: 78% (OR: 0.22, 95%CI: 0.06-0.77) less likely to develop diarrhoeal diseases.
Conclusion: Exclusive breastfeeding and healthy breastfeeding and weaning practices should be encouraged amongst mothers in developing countries as a good protective measure against diarrhoeal diseases among infants.
Keywords: Breastfeeding, infants, diarrhoeal disease