Situation and determinants of the infant and young child feeding (IYCF) indicators in Madagascar: analysis of the 2009 Demographic and Health Survey

• Published in: BMC public health 2017-10, Vol.17 (1), p.812-812, Article 812
• Main Authors: Rakotomanana, Hasina, Gates, Gail E, Hildebrand, Deana, Stoecker, Barbara J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age; Babies; Baby foods; Birth; Breast feeding; Child feeding; Children; Children & youth; Consumption; Demographics; Developing countries; Diet; Families & family life; Food; Food consumption; Food fortification; Fortified foods; Health surveys; Households; Indicators; Infants; Iron; IYCF indicators; LDCs; Madagascar; Malnutrition; Maternal & child health; Nutrition; Nutrition research; Polls & surveys; Public health; Regression analysis; Risk analysis; Risk assessment; Risk factors; Semisolids; Studies; Stunting; Urban areas; Vegetables
• ISSN: 1471-2458; 1471-2458
• DOI: 10.1186/s12889-017-4835-1

Studies evaluating child feeding in Madagascar are scarce despite its importance in child growth during the first two years of life. This study assessed the associations between the WHO infant and young child feeding (IYCF) indicators and stunting and identified determinants of inappropriate child feeding practices. The most recent Demographic and Health Survey was used including a total of 1956 infants aged 0-23 months. Logistic regressions were performed for the association between IYCF indicators and stunting and for the determination of risk factors for inappropriate feeding practices. The rates of initiation of breastfeeding within one hour after birth (77.2%), continued breastfeeding at one year (99.6%) and timely introduction of solid, semi-solid or soft foods at 6-8 months (88.3%) were high. Exclusive breastfeeding under 6 months (48.8%), attaining minimum dietary diversity (22.2%) and consumption of iron-rich foods (19.6%) were relatively low. Higher length-for-age was associated with achieving minimum dietary diversity (p