Universal Journal of Public Health Vol. 9(6), pp. 484 - 491
DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2021.090617
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Association between Breastfeeding and Child Stunting among Adolescent Mothers

Wisit Chaveepojnkamjorn ^1,*, Sureeporn Songroop ², Pratana Satitvipawee ³, Supachai Pitikultang ⁴, Suruchsawadee Thiengwiboonwong ^5
1 Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, Thailand
² Sena District Public Health Office, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Thailand
³ Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, Thailand
⁴ Department of Family Health, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, Thailand
⁵ Ratwithee Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Child stunting is one of the global public health problems and breastfeeding is one of the modifiable maternal factors protecting against child stunting. The current study aims to determine the prevalence of breastfeeding and its association with child stunting among adolescent mothers. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province. Using multi-stage stratified sampling method, 250 participants were recruited. Data were collected using structured interview questionnaires in 6 districts from August 2016 to March 2017. Descriptive and analytic statistics were used to analyze data. Results: 16.4% of children were stunted and 22.4% were breastfed for ≥6 months. Univariable logistic regression disclosed significantly associated factors of stunting included age at delivery, educational level, family members, weight gain during pregnancy, birth weight, complete immunization, recent illness, breast feeding and complementary feeding (p-value < 0.05). After adjusting multivariable logistic regression analysis for potential confounders, babies breastfed <4 months were 1.83 times at risk compared with those breastfed ≥6 months (OR=1.83, 95%CI=0.41-8.30) but without significance. Conclusion: Efforts to reduce child stunting should include surveillance systems of stunting which should be conducted accompanied by providing perspectives on maternal and child health care, implementing health literacy regarding breastfeeding among adolescent mothers and prevention programs to reduce and prevent child stunting.

KEYWORDS
Breastfeeding, Child Stunting, Adolescent Mothers, Teenage Mothers

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Wisit Chaveepojnkamjorn , Sureeporn Songroop , Pratana Satitvipawee , Supachai Pitikultang , Suruchsawadee Thiengwiboonwong , "Association between Breastfeeding and Child Stunting among Adolescent Mothers," Universal Journal of Public Health, Vol. 9, No. 6, pp. 484 - 491, 2021. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2021.090617.

(b). APA Format:
Wisit Chaveepojnkamjorn , Sureeporn Songroop , Pratana Satitvipawee , Supachai Pitikultang , Suruchsawadee Thiengwiboonwong (2021). Association between Breastfeeding and Child Stunting among Adolescent Mothers. Universal Journal of Public Health, 9(6), 484 - 491. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2021.090617.