Dataset Information

Core and optional infant and young child feeding indicators in Sub-Saharan Africa: a cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

The objective of the study is to determine the status of infant and young child feeding (IYCF) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) based on multiple indicators.

Design

Secondary data analysis of 32 Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in SSA since 2010.

Setting

Thirty-two countries in SSA.

Participants

151 575 infants and young children born in the preceding 2 years of the surveys.

Indicators determined

Eight core and six optional IYCF indicators.

Results

Majority (95.8%) of the children born in the preceding 24 months were ever breastfed, and 50.5% initiated breastfeeding within the first hour of birth. Among infants 0-5 months of age, 72.3% were predominantly breastfed and 41.0% were exclusively breastfed. Continued breastfeeding at 1 year (89.5%) was reasonably high, but only 53.7% continued breastfeeding at 2 years and 60.4% had age-appropriate breastfeeding. About two-thirds (69.3%) of infants 6-8 months of age received solid, semisolid or soft food over the previous day across the countries. Among children 6-23 months of age, 41.9% met the minimum recommended meal frequency, while smaller proportions satisfied the minimum dietary diversity (21.0%) and acceptable diet (9.8%). About one-third (37.6%) of children 6-23 months of age consumed iron-rich or iron-fortified food over the previous day. Among non-breastfed children, only 15.0% received the recommended two or more milk feedings. Thirteen per cent were fed with a bottle with a nipple in the previous day. Country-level estimates for most indicators showed remarkable variations. Yet the minimum dietary diversity and acceptable diet indicators were consistently low.

Conclusion

Most breastfeeding-related indicators, except exclusive and early initiation of breastfeeding, are in an acceptable level in SSA. However, complementary feeding indicators are generally low.

SUBMITTER: Gebremedhin S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6377519 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Core and optional infant and young child feeding indicators in Sub-Saharan Africa: a cross-sectional study.

Gebremedhin Samson S

BMJ open 20190219 2

<h4>Objective</h4>The objective of the study is to determine the status of infant and young child feeding (IYCF) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) based on multiple indicators.<h4>Design</h4>Secondary data analysis of 32 Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in SSA since 2010.<h4>Setting</h4>Thirty-two countries in SSA.<h4>Participants</h4>151 575 infants and young children born in the preceding 2 years of the surveys.<h4>Indicators determined</h4>Eight core and six optional IYCF indicators.<h4>Res ...[more]

PMID: 30782876

Similar Datasets

Project description:The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child holds governments responsible to ensure children's right to the highest attainable standard of health by providing breastfeeding support, and access to nutritious foods, appropriate health care, and clean drinking water. International experts have identified key child care practices and programmatic activities that are proven to be effective at reducing infant and young child undernutrition, morbidity, and mortality. Nevertheless, progress towards reducing the prevalence of undernutrition has been sporadic across countries of the Sahel sub-region of Sub-Saharan Africa. In view of this uneven progress, a working group of international agencies was convened to 'Reposition children's right to adequate nutrition in the Sahel.' The first step towards this goal was to organize a situational analysis of the legislative, research, and programmatic activities related to infant and young child nutrition (IYCN) in six countries of the sub-region: Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and Senegal. The purposes of this introductory paper are to review current information concerning the nutritional and health status of infants and young children in the Sahel and to summarize international guidelines on optimal IYCN practices. These guidelines were used in completing the above-mentioned situational analyses and encompass specific recommendations on: (i) breastfeeding (introduction within the first hour after birth, exclusivity to 6 months, continuation to at least 24 months); (ii) complementary feeding (introduction at 6 months, use of nutrient dense foods, adequate frequency and consistency, and responsive feeding); (iii) prevention and/or treatment of micronutrient deficiencies (vitamin A, zinc, iron and anaemia, and iodine); (iv) prevention and/or treatment of acute malnutrition; (v) feeding practices adapted to the maternal situation to reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV; (vi) activities to ensure food security; and (vii) the promotion of hygienic practices concerning food preparation and storage and environmental sanitation. The following papers in this issue will present results of the situational analyses for the individual countries.

Dataset Information

Core and optional infant and young child feeding indicators in Sub-Saharan Africa: a cross-sectional study.

Objective

Design

Setting

Participants

Indicators determined

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Core and optional infant and young child feeding indicators in Sub-Saharan Africa: a cross-sectional study.

Similar Datasets

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