Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40375216›Full record

ArticleBMC public health2025

Factors influencing exclusive breastfeeding in Sub-Saharan Africa: analysis of demographic and health surveys.

Munawar Harun Koray, James Njuguna Wanjiru, Johnson Socrates Kerkula, Theophile Dushimirimana, Sudue Epaphroditus Mieh, Tanya Curry, John Mugisha, Lucas K Kanu

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Article in BMC public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 16 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
16citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

16 citing papers in PubMed.

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  12. Child Mortality and Nutritional Risks in Rural Chad: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study in Béré.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2025
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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Munawar Harun KorayUpper West Regional Health Directorate, Wa, Ghana. gbanglin@rocketmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2764-4829
James Njuguna WanjiruThe Technical University of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya.
Johnson Socrates KerkulaAfrican Methodist Episcopal University, Monrovia, Liberia.
Theophile DushimirimanaRugarama Health Centre, Kigali, Rwanda.
Sudue Epaphroditus MiehRally Time Hospital, Grand Cess, Liberia.
Tanya CurryNational Public Health Institute of Liberia, Monrovia, Liberia.
John MugishaSouthern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
Lucas K KanuUniversity of Makeni (UNIMAK), Makeni, Sierra Leone.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundLow rates of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) contribute to high child mortality rates. This study aimed to identify the prevalence and factors influencing EBF in SSA using nationally representative data from the Demographic Health Survey program (DHS).

methodsA cross-sectional study design using the most recent DHS data of 25 SSA countries from 2010 to 2023. A total of 17,431 women aged 15-49 years with infants below six months were included. Pearson's chi-square and multivariable logistic regression tests were used to test the association and predictors of EBF at a 95% confidence interval (CI) at a significance level of p ≤ 0.05.

resultsThe pooled prevalence of EBF across 25 Sub-Saharan African countries was 49%, ranging from 83% in Burundi to 19% in Gabon. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that older infants aged 2-3 months (AOR = 0.511, 95% CI: 0.458-0.570) and 4-5 months (AOR = 0.176, 95% CI: 0.156-0.198) had significantly lower odds of EBF compared to newborns (0-1 month). Overweight infants (AOR = 0.800, 95% CI: 0.647-0.987) and those experiencing fever (AOR = 0.805, 95% CI: 0.704-0.921) or diarrhea (AOR = 0.799, 95% CI: 0.683-0.935) were also less likely to be exclusively breastfed. Mothers with higher education (AOR = 0.700, 95% CI: 0.516-0.948) had reduced EBF odds. Wealthier households demonstrated higher odds (middle: AOR = 1.411, 95% CI: 1.185-1.681; richer: AOR = 1.539, 95% CI: 1.254-1.889; richest: AOR = 1.455, 95% CI: 1.119-1.892). Rural, the East (AOR = 2.588, 95% CI: 2.162-3.099) or West Africa (AOR = 3.018, 95% CI: 2.464-3.697) significantly increased EBF odds compared to urban areas and Central Africa, respectively.

conclusionThis study highlights key factors influencing EBF in 25 Sub-Saharan African countries. The findings provide complex interplay of individual and community factors influencing EBF. To improve EBF, targeted interventions should focus on: supporting mothers of older infants, integrating counseling into child health services, addressing wealth gaps, and implementing region-specific strategies. Strengthening health systems and community engagement is crucial to overcome barriers and promote equitable breastfeeding practices.

Indexed as

Breast FeedingAdolescentAdultAfrica South of the SaharaCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHealth SurveysHumansInfantInfant, NewbornMiddle AgedSocioeconomic FactorsYoung AdultDemographic health surveyExclusive breastfeedingMultilevel analysisPredictorssub-Saharan Africa

Identifiers

PMID40375216
PMCPMC12080165

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.