Investigation of inter-generational breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices and beliefs in northern, rural Viet Nam

This study investigates breastfeeding and weaning practices among women in northern, rural Viet Nam to determine what factors influence women's breastfeeding and weaning behavior, and the impact of those behaviors on their children's nutritional status. Inter-generational practices and beliefs regarding breastfeeding and complementary feeding were also examined in Van Khuc commune of Phu Tho Province of northern, rural Viet Nam. A number of factors associated with breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices and beliefs' were explored, including education of mother and father, age, employment status, presence of

mother-in-law, use of feeding formula, duration of breastfeeding and of exclusive breastfeeding, age of complementary food initiation, and cultural practices especially during the postpartum period. We conducted interviews with 24 pregnant women, 26 breastfeeding or weaning mothers, 28 women with children under the age of five who were no longer breastfeeding or weaning, and 20 mothers-in-law. Interviews were conducted in Vietnamese and later translated by hand. We also measured the height and weight of the children in order to assess their growth status. Our study shows that breastfeeding practices and beliefs do not differ across generational status. This suggests that beliefs regarding breastfeeding and complementary food initiation are linked to traditional practices and beliefs and have not changed dramatically over recent time. On average, male children were exclusively breastfed for an average of 3.8 months, whereas female children were exclusively breastfed for 4.2 months; total length of breastfeeding was 17.3 months for boys and 19.6 months for girls. No significant correlation was found between the child's nutritional status and the mother's access/utilization of health care resources, educational background, or generational status. We recommend that local midwives and doctors be trained to deliver breastfeeding counseling. We also recommend increasing the general education of women, mothers-in-law, and fathers in rural Viet Nam on preparation of nutritious foods using local food supplies, in order to reduce malnutrition through culturally appropriate breastfeeding and complementary food practices.