| The importance of skin–to–skin contact for
early initiation of breastfeeding in Nigeria and
Bangladesh |
| Authors: |
Kavita Singh, Shane M Khan, Liliana Carvajal–Aguirre, Paul Brodish, Agbessi Amouzou, and Allisyn Moran |
| Source: |
Journal of Global Health, 7(2): 020505; DOI: 10.7189/jogh.07.020505 |
| Topic(s): |
Breastfeeding
|
| Country: |
Africa
Nigeria
Asia
Bangladesh
|
| Published: |
DEC 2017 |
| Abstract: |
Background Skin–to–skin contact (SSC) between mother and newborn
offers numerous protective effects, however it is an intervention
that has been under–utilized. Our objectives are to understand which
newborns in Bangladesh and Nigeria receive SSC and whether SSC is
associated with the early initiation of breastfeeding.
Methods Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data were used to
study the characteristics of newborns receiving SSC for non–facility
births in Nigeria (DHS 2013) and for both facility and non–facility
births in Bangladesh (DHS 2014). Multivariable logistic regression was
used to study the association between SSC and early initiation of breastfeeding
after controlling for key socio–demographic, maternal and
newborn–related factors.
Results Only 10% of newborns in Nigeria and 26% of newborns in
Bangladesh received SSC. In the regression models, SSC was significantly
associated with the early initiation of breastfeeding in both countries
(OR = 1.42, 95% CI 1.15–1.76 for Nigeria; OR = 1.27, 95% CI
1.04–1.55, for Bangladesh). Findings from the regression analysis for
Bangladesh revealed that newborns born by Cesarean section had a
67% lower odds of early initiation of breastfeeding than those born by
normal delivery (OR = 0.33, 95% CI 0.26–0.43). Also in Bangladesh
newborns born in a health facility had a 30% lower odds of early initiation
of breastfeeding than those born in non–facility environments
(OR = 0.70, 95% CI 0.53–0.92). Early initiation of breastfeeding was
significantly associated with parity, urban residence and wealth in Nigeria.
Geographic area was significant in the regression analyses for
both Bangladesh and Nigeria.
Conclusions Coverage of SSC is very low in the two countries, despite
its benefits for newborns without complications. SSC has the potential
to save newborn lives. There is a need to prioritize training of health
providers on the implementation of essential newborn care including
SSC. Community engagement is also needed to ensure that all women
and their families regardless of residence, socio–economic status, place
or type of delivery, understand the benefits of SSC and early initiation
of breastfeeding. |
| Web: |
http://www.jogh.org/documents/issue201702/jogh-07-020505.pdf |
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