© 1983 by Oxford University Press
research-article |
Determinants of Breastfeeding Duration and Nutrition in a Transition Society*
Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine
Department of Nutrition, Harvard University School of Public Health
Corresponding author's address: Dr. Clifford B. David, 509 Clinical Sciences Bldg. 229H, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. N.C 27514
Over 500 mothers of children under 3 years attending a busy clinic in the capital of North Yemen were interviewed and their children measured (a) to examine the relationship between various social and economic factors and duration of breastfeeding and (b) to estimate the effects of these factors and feeding practices on nutrition. Only a small fraction of the wide variability in breastfeeding could be related to socioeconomic and educational measures, except that mothers who listened to radio weaned significantly earlier. By contrast, nutritional status was related to several socioeconomic indicators, particularly father's education and income. Of feeding variables, for children over six months old early introduction of solids and for infants under six months old current breastfeeding were the best predictors of good nutrition.