© 1987 by Oxford University Press
research-article |
Child Feeding Habits in the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen. I. Breast and Bottle Feeding
*Department of PediatricsI, Gothenburg University East Hospital, S-416 85 Göteborg, Sweden
**Al Mansoora Children's Teaching Hospital Aden, PDR Yemen
Breast and bottle-feeding among 86 urban, 132 slum, and 747 rural children below 2 years of age in the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (PDR Yemen) were studied in 198283 using current status method. Most mothers began by breast feeding, but a rapid decline was seen, especially in the urban and slum populations with a concomitant high prevalence of bottle feeding. The median duration of breast feeding was 6.5,10, and 14 months among urban, slum, and rural mothers, respectively. The prevalence of exclusive breast feeding of infants below 3 months of age was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the rural setting compared to both urban and slum areas, and prolonged exclusive breast feeding was only found, though rarely, in rural areas. Rural and slum mothers with suckling infants below 6 months of age tended to state 12 months as the optimal length of breast feeding, whereas mothers with older infants more often stated 2 years. Few mothers used cow's milk formula in the proper concentration and amount.