Factors Associated with Bottle Feeding in Namibia: Findings from Namibia 2013 Demographic and Health Survey
Berde, A.S.
Journal of Tropical Pediatrics 64(6): 460-467
2018
ISSN/ISBN: 1465-3664 PMID: 29206941 DOI: 10.1093/tropej/fmx091Document Number: 207384
The aim of this study is to examine the prevalence of bottle feeding (BF) among children aged 0-23 months and factors associated with BF in Namibia. Data from Namibia 2013 Demographic Health Survey were used for the study. The study covered last-born alive children aged 0-23 months, making up 1926 mother-baby pairs. Chi-square tests and binary logistic regression were used to test for association between BF and related factors. Prevalence of BF in Namibia was 35.7%. In the multivariate analysis, the following factors were significantly associated with increased risk of BF: working mothers, hospital delivery, increasing child age, higher mother's educational status, higher wealth quintile and urban residence. To achieve a substantial decrease in bottle usage rate in Namibia, breastfeeding promotion programmes should target all mothers but especially those at risk of BF highlighted in the study.