Early Initiation of Breastfeeding and Its Association in Rural Areas of Burkina Faso

Background: The global recommendations of the WHO and UNICEF are that all infants should start breastfeeding within one hour of birth. It is low-cost and has substantial potential to reduce neonatal and early infant morbidity. The objectives of the study were to investigate rate of early initiation of breastfeeding and to identify potential associated factors. Methods: A community based cross-sectional study design was conducted in three districts of Burkina Faso. Cluster sampling was used. The data were collected by using a structured and pretested interview questionnaire. The associations between early initiation and independent variables were tested using the Chi-square test. Crude Odds ratios (COR) with 95% confidence intervals were used. Results: Percentage of children who were put to the breast within one hour of birth was fair (41%). Having more than 2 antenatal care visits was found to be 1.43 times more likely to initiate breastfeeding early, COR: 1.4, 95% CI: [1.14 - 1.81], p < 0.001. Receiving advices, during pregnancy, on early initiation of breastfeeding, child feeding and child growth, were found to be more likely to initiate breastfeeding early, respectively COR: 1.52, 95% CI: [1.25 - 1.80]; 1.39, 95% CI: [1.15 - 1.67] and 1.39, 95% CI: [1.15 - 1.67], with p < 0.001. Mothers having skilled delivery were found to be more likely to initiate breastfeeding early, COR: 1.47, 95% CI: [1.20 - 1.79], p < 0.001. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that delayed initiation of breastfeeding continues to be a problem in rural areas of Burkina Faso, as only four in 10 newborn infants received breast milk within the first hour of birth. The results show that receiving advices on early initiation of breastfeeding, child growth and feeding and skilled delivery were found to be more likely to initiate breastfeeding within one hour of delivery. Therefore improving the skills of health providers and, mother individual counselling and strengthening community-based support, are critical to improve timely initiation of breastfeeding.