Abstract
Objectives To ensure proper nutrition and optimal health outcomes, it is critical that infants are exclusively breastfed (0–6 months) and then receive adequate feeding from 6–23 months (breastfeeding and frequent feedings of complementary foods). Despite policies and guidelines on adequate feeding in Myanmar, past research has found low rates of adequately fed infants 0–11 months and little is known about the adequacy of feeding practices for children 12–23 months. The aim of this study is to understand the feeding practices of children aged 0–24 months in Myanmar and maternal characteristics associated with adequate feeding practices. Methods This study examines the rates of adequately fed infants and young children (0–23 months) in hard-to-reach townships in Myanmar from a cross-sectional, multistage cluster survey. Survey data on nutritional practices were collected from 489 mothers. Data were analyzed using multivariate regressions. Results We found that 41.8 % of infants under 6 months were exclusively breastfed, 63.2 % of those aged 6–11 months were adequately fed, and 10.3 % of 12–23 month-olds were adequately fed. In multivariate regressions we found that antenatal care visits [1–4 visits, AOR = 6.59 (p < 0.01) and >4 visits, AOR = 6.63 (p < 0.05)] was associated with exclusive breastfeeding for under 6 month old infants. Having >4 antenatal care visits [AOR = 9.97 (p < 0.05)] was associated with adequate feeding for 6–11 months old infants. Conclusions Future nutritional interventions and policies should focus on improving messaging about adequate feeding practices, especially for 12–23 months olds.
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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank Dr. Tin Aung (Director, Strategic Information Department), Dr. Nang Mo Hom (Research Unit/Strategic Information Department), U Zaw Win (Research Unit/Strategic Information Department) and staff from PSI Myanmar for providing the required support for the study. Our thanks will also go to the 3 Millennium Development Goal Fund (3MDG) for financial support to conduct the study.
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Thet, M.M., Richards, LM., Sudhinaraset, M. et al. Assessing Rates of Inadequate Feeding Practices Among Children 12–24 months: Results from a Cross-Sectional Survey in Myanmar. Matern Child Health J 20, 1688–1695 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-016-1968-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-016-1968-2