Abstract: Reports show that universal coverage of breastfeeding could prevent 13% of deaths among children under five years. Breastfeeding protects infants from common infections, strengthens the immune system and protects their digestive system. Worldwide, it is estimated that only 34.8% of infants are exclusively breastfed. This cross-sectional study was conducted from 2008 to 2010 to estimate the prevalence rate of breastfeeding and to understand the relationship between breastfeeding and nutritional status of children aged 5 years and under.
A cluster sampling technique was used for selecting 780 households with at least one child under five. Structured questionnaires were administered to mothers. The nutritional status of children was assessed using anthropometrics and categorized according to WHO z-score, chi square test and relative risk were used to test the associations using 0.05 significant level. The study revealed that the prevalence of acute malnutrition was 19%; underweight infants 35%, and chronic malnutrition 51%. The study also revealed that 32% of participants were breastfed while 68% were not.The prevalence rates among breastfeed were 7.7% for acute malnutrition, 21%, for underweight and 58.5% for chronic malnutrition. For the group who do not breastfeed, these rates were found 24.4% for acute malnutrition with wasting, 41.5% for underweight and 47.6% for chronic malnutrition. The study concludes that the poor breastfeeding may be contributing to a higher risk of malnutrition and mortality among the under five children.
Keywords: breastfeeding, nutritional status, children, Khartoum State, Sudan.
Title: Breastfeeding among Infants and Its Association with the Nutritional Status of Children Under Five Years in Khartoum, Sudan
Author: Ali Mohieldin Mahgoub Ibrahim (PhD), Moawia Ali Hassan Alshiek (MD), Mary Shilalukey Ngoma (FRCP, DCH, UK), DAWRIA Adam (PhD)
International Journal of Healthcare Sciences
ISSN 2348-5728 (Online)
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