Factors affecting infant feeding choices among teenage mothers in Lilongwe District in Malawi

Abstract

Optimal breastfeeding practices are a key to improve child survival and promote healthy growth and development. Evidence has shown that the rates of breastfeeding in Malawi are alarmingly low, particularly among teenage mothers despite the alluded benefits of breastfeeding. The purpose of the study was to investigate factors that affect infant feeding choices among teenage (13-19 years of age) mothers in the Lilongwe District in Malawi. The study was conducted at baby wellness clinics, commonly known as ‘under five clinics’. A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study was used in this research. Structured questionnaires were issued to 250 teenage mothers who were selected using probability, random sampling. Data was analysed using the STATA 14 statistical package using descriptive statistics and regression models. The results show that although a majority of teenage mothers (236 representing 95% of the all teenage mothers) reported that they breastfed their babies soon after birth signifying a desire for breastfeeding, only 85 teenage mothers (representing 34.27%) practiced exclusive breastfeeding by six months. This low prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding signifies the existence of challenges around exclusive breastfeeding for teenage mothers. Determinants of the choice of exclusive breastfeeding include being single, being in rural areas, public sentiments, poor government support mechanisms and negated exclusive breastfeeding. Prior knowledge, good attitude, and a business occupation encouraged exclusive breastfeeding. There were low levels of breastfeeding in Lilongwe and many of the infant feeding practices are not consonant with recommended practices which begs for awareness creation and support.