Effects of Maternal Utilization of Continuum of Care from Pregnancy to Postpartum on Breastfeeding Practices in Bangladesh
M. A. Rifat, Rinath Bintey Didar, Joya Bhowmick, Rokibul IslamBackground:
Continuum of care (CoC) for maternal health, comprising antenatal care (ANC), delivery assisted by skilled birth attendants (SBA), and postnatal care (PNC), provides caregivers with opportunities to sensitize mothers about recommended breastfeeding practices. However, the effects of maternal utilization of CoC on breastfeeding practices in Bangladesh remains unexamined.
Research Aim:
To estimate the effect of utilization of CoC on breastfeeding practices in Bangladesh.
Methods:
Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2017–2018 and BDHS 2022 served as data sources. A mother was considered to receive the full CoC if she received at least four ANC sessions, had delivery assisted by SBA, and had a PNC within 48 hours of delivery. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to observe the effects.
Results:
Maternal status of receiving full CoC was not significantly associated with their breastfeeding practices. Receiving a PNC within 48 hours of delivery was significantly associated with 34% (AOR: 1.34; 95% CI [1.03, 1.73]) and 70% (AOR: 1.70; 95% CI [1.21, 2.39]) higher odds of exclusive breastfeeding in pooled and BDHS 2022 sample, respectively. Delivery assisted by SBA significantly reduced the odds of early initiation of breastfeeding by 27% (AOR: 0.73; 95% CI [0.62, 0.85]) and 38% (AOR: 0.62; 95% CI [0.50, 0.76]) in the pooled and BDHS 2022 sample, respectively.
Conclusion:
Beneficial effects of maternal utilization of CoC on breastfeeding practices in Bangladesh were inconsistent and, in some cases, contrary to expectations. These indicate missed opportunities to translate the benefits of maternal utilization of CoC to breastfeeding practices in Bangladesh.