Exclusive breastfeeding practices in Afghanistan: evidence from the 2022–2023 multiple indicator cluster survey
Abstract Background National prevalence estimates of exclusive breastfeeding practices could serve as the basis for future policy efforts and specific interventions. However, little is known about the prevalence and factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding practices in Afghanistan. This study...
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BMC
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-025-00963-7 |
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| author | Muhammad Haroon Stanikzai Essa Tawfiq Massoma Jafari Zainab Ezadi Zarghoon Tareen Sayed Ali Shah Alawi Hadia Sayam Abdul Wahed Wasiq Omid Dadras |
| author_facet | Muhammad Haroon Stanikzai Essa Tawfiq Massoma Jafari Zainab Ezadi Zarghoon Tareen Sayed Ali Shah Alawi Hadia Sayam Abdul Wahed Wasiq Omid Dadras |
| author_sort | Muhammad Haroon Stanikzai |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background National prevalence estimates of exclusive breastfeeding practices could serve as the basis for future policy efforts and specific interventions. However, little is known about the prevalence and factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding practices in Afghanistan. This study aims to determine the prevalence and factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding practices among infants aged 0–5 months in Afghanistan. Methods Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) data collected between 2022 and 2023 were used for this analysis. Data from 3,141 mother-infant dyads were included in the study. The outcome variable was exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), defined as the proportion of infants 0–5 months of age who were fed only breast milk in the past 24 h. Binary logistic regression models were applied to examine the likelihood of EBF across the categories of independent variables. Results In the studied population, 67.0% (95%CI 65%-69%) of the infants were exclusively breastfed. The likelihood of EBF was higher in infants born to mothers with secondary or higher education [AOR = 1.35, 95%CI 1.04–1.76] and in infants with timely initiation of breastfeeding [AOR = 1.25, 95%CI 1.07–1.46]. However, the female sex of the infant was associated with lower odds of EBF practices [AOR = 0.83, 95%CI 0.72–0.97]. Conclusion The practice of exclusive breastfeeding is at a good level (67%) in Afghanistan. Higher maternal education level, timely breastfeeding initiation, and being a male infant increased the likelihood of EBF practices. Policy efforts and interventions focused on these factors could enhance EBF practices in Afghanistan. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-328de964ca20497f95da65a565ab47bc |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2072-1315 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj-art-328de964ca20497f95da65a565ab47bc2025-08-20T02:36:50ZengBMCJournal of Health, Population and Nutrition2072-13152025-06-014411810.1186/s41043-025-00963-7Exclusive breastfeeding practices in Afghanistan: evidence from the 2022–2023 multiple indicator cluster surveyMuhammad Haroon Stanikzai0Essa Tawfiq1Massoma Jafari2Zainab Ezadi3Zarghoon Tareen4Sayed Ali Shah Alawi5Hadia Sayam6Abdul Wahed Wasiq7Omid Dadras8Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Kandahar UniversityThe Kirby Institute, UNSW SydneyDepartment of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of TorontoMaster of Science in Midwifery, Reproductive HealthDepartment of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Kandahar UniversityUHI Project/JHPIEGODepartment of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Kandahar UniversityDepartment of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kandahar UniversityResearch Centre for Child Psychiatry, University of TurkuAbstract Background National prevalence estimates of exclusive breastfeeding practices could serve as the basis for future policy efforts and specific interventions. However, little is known about the prevalence and factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding practices in Afghanistan. This study aims to determine the prevalence and factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding practices among infants aged 0–5 months in Afghanistan. Methods Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) data collected between 2022 and 2023 were used for this analysis. Data from 3,141 mother-infant dyads were included in the study. The outcome variable was exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), defined as the proportion of infants 0–5 months of age who were fed only breast milk in the past 24 h. Binary logistic regression models were applied to examine the likelihood of EBF across the categories of independent variables. Results In the studied population, 67.0% (95%CI 65%-69%) of the infants were exclusively breastfed. The likelihood of EBF was higher in infants born to mothers with secondary or higher education [AOR = 1.35, 95%CI 1.04–1.76] and in infants with timely initiation of breastfeeding [AOR = 1.25, 95%CI 1.07–1.46]. However, the female sex of the infant was associated with lower odds of EBF practices [AOR = 0.83, 95%CI 0.72–0.97]. Conclusion The practice of exclusive breastfeeding is at a good level (67%) in Afghanistan. Higher maternal education level, timely breastfeeding initiation, and being a male infant increased the likelihood of EBF practices. Policy efforts and interventions focused on these factors could enhance EBF practices in Afghanistan.https://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-025-00963-7Exclusive breastfeedingPrevalenceDeterminantsAfghanistan |
| spellingShingle | Muhammad Haroon Stanikzai Essa Tawfiq Massoma Jafari Zainab Ezadi Zarghoon Tareen Sayed Ali Shah Alawi Hadia Sayam Abdul Wahed Wasiq Omid Dadras Exclusive breastfeeding practices in Afghanistan: evidence from the 2022–2023 multiple indicator cluster survey Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition Exclusive breastfeeding Prevalence Determinants Afghanistan |
| title | Exclusive breastfeeding practices in Afghanistan: evidence from the 2022–2023 multiple indicator cluster survey |
| title_full | Exclusive breastfeeding practices in Afghanistan: evidence from the 2022–2023 multiple indicator cluster survey |
| title_fullStr | Exclusive breastfeeding practices in Afghanistan: evidence from the 2022–2023 multiple indicator cluster survey |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exclusive breastfeeding practices in Afghanistan: evidence from the 2022–2023 multiple indicator cluster survey |
| title_short | Exclusive breastfeeding practices in Afghanistan: evidence from the 2022–2023 multiple indicator cluster survey |
| title_sort | exclusive breastfeeding practices in afghanistan evidence from the 2022 2023 multiple indicator cluster survey |
| topic | Exclusive breastfeeding Prevalence Determinants Afghanistan |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-025-00963-7 |
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