Early Initiation of Breastfeeding and Exclusive Breastfeeding in Anglophone and Francophone West African Countries: Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Prevalence
ABSTRACT Early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF) and exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) are highly effective forms of preventive medicine in many low‐ and middle‐income countries, including Anglophone and Francophone West African countries. Despite the proven benefits of EIBF and EBF in reducing mortali...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Maternal and Child Nutrition |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.13792 |
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| author | Martha Osekua Lewis‐Koku Catharine A. K. Fleming Lucy Ngaihbanglovi Pachuau Nagwa Farag Elmighrabi Kingsley Emwinyore Agho |
| author_facet | Martha Osekua Lewis‐Koku Catharine A. K. Fleming Lucy Ngaihbanglovi Pachuau Nagwa Farag Elmighrabi Kingsley Emwinyore Agho |
| author_sort | Martha Osekua Lewis‐Koku |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ABSTRACT Early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF) and exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) are highly effective forms of preventive medicine in many low‐ and middle‐income countries, including Anglophone and Francophone West African countries. Despite the proven benefits of EIBF and EBF in reducing mortality and morbidity, there is limited systematic evidence from West African countries. Hence, the aim of this systematic review and meta‐analysis was to estimate the pooled prevalence of EIBF and EBF in Anglophone and Francophone West African countries. Six databases were searched for eligible studies based on inclusion criteria and a systematic review and a further meta‐analysis were done. The weighted prevalence of EIBF was 51.7% (95% CI: 48.8, 54.6) in Anglophone West African countries and 45.5% (95% CI: 42.0, 48.9) in Francophone West African countries. The pooled prevalence of EBF was 41.2% (95% CI: 36.9, 45.5) in Anglophone West African countries and 30.1% (95% CI: 26.7, 33.5) in Francophone West African countries. Our study showed that the weighted average EIBF and EBF prevalence tended to be higher from studies in Anglophone West African countries than in Francophone West African countries. Despite these findings, EIBF and EBF rates overall in West African countries were suboptimal. A substantial improvement is necessary in promoting EIBF and EBF in West African countries. Programmes should target all mothers in the region no matter their colonial allegiance to achieve Sustainable Development Goals 2 and 3 by 2030. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-81efb1b9a6ab43fb8dee0dc62bdf7f60 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1740-8695 1740-8709 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Maternal and Child Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj-art-81efb1b9a6ab43fb8dee0dc62bdf7f602025-08-20T03:06:32ZengWileyMaternal and Child Nutrition1740-86951740-87092025-04-01212n/an/a10.1111/mcn.13792Early Initiation of Breastfeeding and Exclusive Breastfeeding in Anglophone and Francophone West African Countries: Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of PrevalenceMartha Osekua Lewis‐Koku0Catharine A. K. Fleming1Lucy Ngaihbanglovi Pachuau2Nagwa Farag Elmighrabi3Kingsley Emwinyore Agho4School of Health Science Western Sydney University NSW AustraliaSchool of Health Science Western Sydney University Campbelltown NSW AustraliaSchool of Health Science Western Sydney University Campbelltown NSW AustraliaSchool of Health Science Western Sydney University Campbelltown NSW AustraliaSchool of Health Science Western Sydney University Campbelltown NSW AustraliaABSTRACT Early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF) and exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) are highly effective forms of preventive medicine in many low‐ and middle‐income countries, including Anglophone and Francophone West African countries. Despite the proven benefits of EIBF and EBF in reducing mortality and morbidity, there is limited systematic evidence from West African countries. Hence, the aim of this systematic review and meta‐analysis was to estimate the pooled prevalence of EIBF and EBF in Anglophone and Francophone West African countries. Six databases were searched for eligible studies based on inclusion criteria and a systematic review and a further meta‐analysis were done. The weighted prevalence of EIBF was 51.7% (95% CI: 48.8, 54.6) in Anglophone West African countries and 45.5% (95% CI: 42.0, 48.9) in Francophone West African countries. The pooled prevalence of EBF was 41.2% (95% CI: 36.9, 45.5) in Anglophone West African countries and 30.1% (95% CI: 26.7, 33.5) in Francophone West African countries. Our study showed that the weighted average EIBF and EBF prevalence tended to be higher from studies in Anglophone West African countries than in Francophone West African countries. Despite these findings, EIBF and EBF rates overall in West African countries were suboptimal. A substantial improvement is necessary in promoting EIBF and EBF in West African countries. Programmes should target all mothers in the region no matter their colonial allegiance to achieve Sustainable Development Goals 2 and 3 by 2030.https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.13792Anglophoneearly initiationexclusive breastfeedingFrancophoneindicatorsprevalence |
| spellingShingle | Martha Osekua Lewis‐Koku Catharine A. K. Fleming Lucy Ngaihbanglovi Pachuau Nagwa Farag Elmighrabi Kingsley Emwinyore Agho Early Initiation of Breastfeeding and Exclusive Breastfeeding in Anglophone and Francophone West African Countries: Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Prevalence Maternal and Child Nutrition Anglophone early initiation exclusive breastfeeding Francophone indicators prevalence |
| title | Early Initiation of Breastfeeding and Exclusive Breastfeeding in Anglophone and Francophone West African Countries: Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Prevalence |
| title_full | Early Initiation of Breastfeeding and Exclusive Breastfeeding in Anglophone and Francophone West African Countries: Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Prevalence |
| title_fullStr | Early Initiation of Breastfeeding and Exclusive Breastfeeding in Anglophone and Francophone West African Countries: Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Prevalence |
| title_full_unstemmed | Early Initiation of Breastfeeding and Exclusive Breastfeeding in Anglophone and Francophone West African Countries: Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Prevalence |
| title_short | Early Initiation of Breastfeeding and Exclusive Breastfeeding in Anglophone and Francophone West African Countries: Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Prevalence |
| title_sort | early initiation of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding in anglophone and francophone west african countries systematic review and meta analysis of prevalence |
| topic | Anglophone early initiation exclusive breastfeeding Francophone indicators prevalence |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.13792 |
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