| Breastfeeding and mixed feeding practices in Malawi: timing, reasons, decision makers, and child health consequences. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 17718016 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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BACKGROUND: In order to effectively promote exclusive breastfeeding, it is important to first understand who makes child-care and child-feeding decisions, and why those decisions are made; as in most parts of the world, exclusive breastfeeding until 6 months of age is uncommon in Malawi. OBJECTIVE: To characterize early infant foods in rural northern Malawi, who the decision-makers are, their motivation, and the consequences for child growth, in order to design a more effective program for improved child health and nutrition. METHODS: In a rural area of northern Malawi, 160 caregivers of children 6 to 48 months of age were asked to recall the child's age at introduction of 19 common early infant foods, who decided to introduce the food, and why. The heights and weights of the 160 children were measured. RESULTS: Sixty-five percent of the children were given food in their first month, and only 4% of the children were exclusively breastfed for 6 months. Mzuwula and dawale (two herbal infusions), water, and porridge were common early foods. Grandmothers introduced mzuwula to protect the children from illness; other foods were usually introduced by mothers or grandmothers in response to perceived hunger. The early introduction of porridge and dawale, but not mzuwula, was associated with worse anthropometric status. Mzuwula, which is not associated with poor growth, is usually made with boiled water and given in small amounts. Conversely, porridge, which is associated with poor child growth, is potentially contaminated and is served in larger amounts, which would displace breastmilk. CONCLUSIONS: Promoters of exclusive breastfeeding should target their messages to appropriate decision makers and consider targeting foods that are most harmful to child growth. |
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Authors:
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Rachel Bezner Kerr; Peter R Berti; Marko Chirwa |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Food and nutrition bulletin Volume: 28 ISSN: 0379-5721 ISO Abbreviation: Food Nutr Bull Publication Date: 2007 Mar |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2007-08-27 Completed Date: 2007-09-27 Revised Date: 2008-11-21 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 7906418 Medline TA: Food Nutr Bull Country: Japan |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 90-9 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Department of Geography, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada. rbeznerkerr@uwo.ca |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Adult Anthropometry Body Height / physiology Breast Feeding / epidemiology*, psychology Child, Preschool Decision Making Female Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Health Promotion / methods* Humans Infant Infant Food / standards* Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / physiology* Malawi Male Mothers / education, psychology* Nutritive Value Weaning |
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