Investigation of factors associated with delayed initiation of breastfeeding in Papua New Guinea: a cross-sectional study

Background Breastfeeding within the first hour of birth is critical for newborn survival. However, in Papua New Guinea (PNG), about 40% of newborns are not breastfed within the first hour of birth. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with delayed initiation of breastf...

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Main Authors: Lisa M Vallely, Francis Pulsan, McKenzie Maviso
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2024-10-01
Series:BMJ Paediatrics Open
Online Access:https://bmjpaedsopen.bmj.com/content/8/1/e002942.full
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author Lisa M Vallely
Francis Pulsan
McKenzie Maviso
author_facet Lisa M Vallely
Francis Pulsan
McKenzie Maviso
author_sort Lisa M Vallely
collection DOAJ
description Background Breastfeeding within the first hour of birth is critical for newborn survival. However, in Papua New Guinea (PNG), about 40% of newborns are not breastfed within the first hour of birth. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with delayed initiation of breastfeeding in PNG.Methods This study used secondary data from the 2016–2018 PNG Demographic and Health Survey, a nationally representative cross-sectional study. A total weighted sample of 4748 women aged 15–49 were included. Complex samples analysis was performed to determine the direction of association between the independent variables and delayed initiation of breastfeeding.Results About a quarter (24.6%) of women delayed initiation of breastfeeding. Women with an unplanned pregnancy (adjusted OR (AOR) 1.32; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.68), those who had a caesarean section (AOR 3.16; 95% CI 1.39 to 7.17), those who did not initiate newborn skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth (AOR 1.83; 95% CI 1.41 to 2.38) and those who watched television (AOR 1.39; 95% CI 1.11 to 1.75), and were from the Momase region (AOR 1.31; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.93) had higher odds of delayed breastfeeding initiation. Conversely, the odds of delayed initiation of breastfeeding was lower among women who read a newspaper or magazine (AOR 0.76; 95% CI 0.61 to 0.95), were from the Southern (AOR 0.81; 95% CI 0.56 to 1.15) and Highlands (AOR 0.86; 95% CI 0.58 to 1.29) regions, and gave birth at home or in the village (AOR 0.69; 95% CI 0.49 to 0.96).Conclusion One in four women in this study delayed initiation of breastfeeding until after 1 hour after birth. Interventions to promote optimal breastfeeding require a multi-sectoral approach, as well as bolstering health workers’ capacity to encourage and support early initiation of breastfeeding during the antenatal and early postnatal periods.
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spelling doaj-art-2b5345771cf94270ae4c8a8812658fed2025-08-20T03:05:15ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Paediatrics Open2399-97722024-10-018110.1136/bmjpo-2024-002942Investigation of factors associated with delayed initiation of breastfeeding in Papua New Guinea: a cross-sectional studyLisa M Vallely0Francis Pulsan1McKenzie Maviso2Asia and Pacific Health Program, The Kirby Institute, Kensington, New South Wales, AustraliaDivision of Clinical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby, Papua New GuineaDivision of Public Health, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby, National Capital District, Papua New GuineaBackground Breastfeeding within the first hour of birth is critical for newborn survival. However, in Papua New Guinea (PNG), about 40% of newborns are not breastfed within the first hour of birth. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with delayed initiation of breastfeeding in PNG.Methods This study used secondary data from the 2016–2018 PNG Demographic and Health Survey, a nationally representative cross-sectional study. A total weighted sample of 4748 women aged 15–49 were included. Complex samples analysis was performed to determine the direction of association between the independent variables and delayed initiation of breastfeeding.Results About a quarter (24.6%) of women delayed initiation of breastfeeding. Women with an unplanned pregnancy (adjusted OR (AOR) 1.32; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.68), those who had a caesarean section (AOR 3.16; 95% CI 1.39 to 7.17), those who did not initiate newborn skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth (AOR 1.83; 95% CI 1.41 to 2.38) and those who watched television (AOR 1.39; 95% CI 1.11 to 1.75), and were from the Momase region (AOR 1.31; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.93) had higher odds of delayed breastfeeding initiation. Conversely, the odds of delayed initiation of breastfeeding was lower among women who read a newspaper or magazine (AOR 0.76; 95% CI 0.61 to 0.95), were from the Southern (AOR 0.81; 95% CI 0.56 to 1.15) and Highlands (AOR 0.86; 95% CI 0.58 to 1.29) regions, and gave birth at home or in the village (AOR 0.69; 95% CI 0.49 to 0.96).Conclusion One in four women in this study delayed initiation of breastfeeding until after 1 hour after birth. Interventions to promote optimal breastfeeding require a multi-sectoral approach, as well as bolstering health workers’ capacity to encourage and support early initiation of breastfeeding during the antenatal and early postnatal periods.https://bmjpaedsopen.bmj.com/content/8/1/e002942.full
spellingShingle Lisa M Vallely
Francis Pulsan
McKenzie Maviso
Investigation of factors associated with delayed initiation of breastfeeding in Papua New Guinea: a cross-sectional study
BMJ Paediatrics Open
title Investigation of factors associated with delayed initiation of breastfeeding in Papua New Guinea: a cross-sectional study
title_full Investigation of factors associated with delayed initiation of breastfeeding in Papua New Guinea: a cross-sectional study
title_fullStr Investigation of factors associated with delayed initiation of breastfeeding in Papua New Guinea: a cross-sectional study
title_full_unstemmed Investigation of factors associated with delayed initiation of breastfeeding in Papua New Guinea: a cross-sectional study
title_short Investigation of factors associated with delayed initiation of breastfeeding in Papua New Guinea: a cross-sectional study
title_sort investigation of factors associated with delayed initiation of breastfeeding in papua new guinea a cross sectional study
url https://bmjpaedsopen.bmj.com/content/8/1/e002942.full
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AT mckenziemaviso investigationoffactorsassociatedwithdelayedinitiationofbreastfeedinginpapuanewguineaacrosssectionalstudy