Mapping inequalities in exclusive breastfeeding in low- and middle-income countries, 2000-2018

Nat Hum Behav. 2021 Aug;5(8):1027-1045. doi: 10.1038/s41562-021-01108-6. Epub 2021 Jun 3.

Abstract

Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF)-giving infants only breast-milk for the first 6 months of life-is a component of optimal breastfeeding practices effective in preventing child morbidity and mortality. EBF practices are known to vary by population and comparable subnational estimates of prevalence and progress across low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are required for planning policy and interventions. Here we present a geospatial analysis of EBF prevalence estimates from 2000 to 2018 across 94 LMICs mapped to policy-relevant administrative units (for example, districts), quantify subnational inequalities and their changes over time, and estimate probabilities of meeting the World Health Organization's Global Nutrition Target (WHO GNT) of ≥70% EBF prevalence by 2030. While six LMICs are projected to meet the WHO GNT of ≥70% EBF prevalence at a national scale, only three are predicted to meet the target in all their district-level units by 2030.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Breast Feeding / statistics & numerical data*
  • Breast Feeding / trends
  • Developing Countries / statistics & numerical data*
  • Geography
  • Health Status Disparities
  • Humans
  • Policy Making
  • Prevalence
  • Public Policy
  • Spatial Analysis