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CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
Breastfeeding practices among rural Cambodian infants in the first six months of life: Analysis of longitudinal data
1
Nagasaki University, School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki, Japan
2
Nagasaki University, Institute of Biomedical Sciences- Department of Reproductive Health, Nagasaki, Japan
3
Nagasaki University, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences- Department of Nursing, Nagasaki, Japan
4
Nagasaki University, Institute of Tropical Medicine NEKKEN- Department of Molecular Infection Dynamics, Nagasaki, Japan
5
Nagasaki University, Institute of Tropical Medicine NEKKEN- Department of Infection Biochemistry, Nagasaki, Japan
6
The National Maternal and Child Health Centre, Ministry of Health, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
7
Provincial Health Department, Seim Reap, Seim Reap, Cambodia
Eur J Midwifery 2026;10(Supplement 1):A601
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Optimal breastfeeding practice is crucial for improving child health and nutrition. WHO and UNICEF recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life.
OBJECTIVES:
This study aims to investigate breastfeeding practice from birth to six months of age using longitudinal data.
METHODS:
This study registered all live births in 28 rural villages, Siem Reap, Cambodia and followed them for six months. Breastfeeding practices were assessed through caregiver interviews during routine home visits. Kaplan–Meier survival curves were used to examine the transition of exclusive breastfeeding over time. Ethical approval was obtained from the National Ethics Committee for Health Research of Cambodia and Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University prior to this study.
RESULTS:
Ninety-eight infants were included in this analysis. More than 50% were exclusively breastfed until four months of age; however, the prevalence declined sharply thereafter. The median survival time of exclusive breastfeeding was 4.36 months. The proportion of infants who received only breast milk at the beginning of each month of age was 0.70 at one month, 0.63 at two months, 0.56 at three months, 0.52 at four months, and 0.33 at five months. Infants who initiated breastfeeding within one hour after birth tended to remain exclusively breastfed for a longer duration than those who did not, although the difference was not statistically significant.
CONCLUSIONS:
Although exclusive breastfeeding is prevalent until four months of age, early cessation before the recommended duration often occurs in rural Cambodia, potentially leading to suboptimal child nutrition. Breastfeeding support immediately after birth may play a key role in helping mothers sustain exclusive breastfeeding for an appropriate duration.
KEY MESSAGE:
Breastfeeding support from the early postpartum through the entire breastfeeding periods is essential for optimal breastfeeding practice, which positively impact child health and nutrition. Poster session 2 (Group A)
Optimal breastfeeding practice is crucial for improving child health and nutrition. WHO and UNICEF recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life.
OBJECTIVES:
This study aims to investigate breastfeeding practice from birth to six months of age using longitudinal data.
METHODS:
This study registered all live births in 28 rural villages, Siem Reap, Cambodia and followed them for six months. Breastfeeding practices were assessed through caregiver interviews during routine home visits. Kaplan–Meier survival curves were used to examine the transition of exclusive breastfeeding over time. Ethical approval was obtained from the National Ethics Committee for Health Research of Cambodia and Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University prior to this study.
RESULTS:
Ninety-eight infants were included in this analysis. More than 50% were exclusively breastfed until four months of age; however, the prevalence declined sharply thereafter. The median survival time of exclusive breastfeeding was 4.36 months. The proportion of infants who received only breast milk at the beginning of each month of age was 0.70 at one month, 0.63 at two months, 0.56 at three months, 0.52 at four months, and 0.33 at five months. Infants who initiated breastfeeding within one hour after birth tended to remain exclusively breastfed for a longer duration than those who did not, although the difference was not statistically significant.
CONCLUSIONS:
Although exclusive breastfeeding is prevalent until four months of age, early cessation before the recommended duration often occurs in rural Cambodia, potentially leading to suboptimal child nutrition. Breastfeeding support immediately after birth may play a key role in helping mothers sustain exclusive breastfeeding for an appropriate duration.
KEY MESSAGE:
Breastfeeding support from the early postpartum through the entire breastfeeding periods is essential for optimal breastfeeding practice, which positively impact child health and nutrition. Poster session 2 (Group A)
| eISSN: | 2585-2906 |
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