Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #111925

Ketsana Chan, MD¹, Theary Chan, CNM¹, Kirk Dearden, DrPH, MPH², David D. Stoker², and Benjamin Crookston, BS². (1) Child Health, The Reproductive and Child Health Alliance, House #160, Street 71, Tonle Bassac, Chamkar Mon, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, (855-23) 213-724, cketsana@racha.org.kh, (2) Brigham Young University, Department of Health Science, 229 C Richards Building, Provo, UT 84602

Research indicates that exclusive breastfeeding can save more lives of children <5y old globally than any other preventive measure. However, few mothers practice optimal breastfeeding. In Cambodia, 11.0% initiate breastfeeding in the first hour of life and 11.3% exclusively breastfeed infants < 6m of age. This paper identifies factors associated with optimal breastfeeding and assesses the impact of an intervention designed to improve breastfeeding practices. Since 2000, the Reproductive and Child Health Alliance has trained 2500 Buddhist nuns and wat/temple grannies to promote early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding. Nuns and grannies are highly respected and exert great influence on the beliefs and behaviors of most Cambodians. Baseline data include randomly selected women from intervention (n=206) and comparison communities (n=234). Follow-up assessments will occur annually for 5 years. Rates of early inititiation and exclusive breastfeeding (24h/7d) were 20.9%, 47.6% and 40.1%, respectively. Mothers who received prenatal care, delivered at a hospital and indicated someone spoke with them about breastfeeding were significantly more likely than mothers who had not to initiate breastfeeding in the first hour of life (p<.05 for all comparisons). Similarly, more educated mothers and those who received prenatal care and advice about breastfeeding were significantly more likely to exclusively breastfeed in the previous 24 hours (p<.05 for all comparisons). Results from the first follow-up will be presented in November. Our findings suggest that prenatal care and advice about breastfeeding are the most important predictors of optimal feeding and both need emphasis to improve breastfeeding practices nationally.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will be able to identify factors associated with early initiation of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding as well as the impact of nuns and grannies on breastfeeding practices in Cambodia.

Keywords: Breastfeeding, Infant Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.