Effect of breastfeeding and maternal characteristics on diarrhoea morbidity among children aged 0-2 years in Namibia

Abstract

Background: Despite it being treatable and preventable, morbidity from diarrhoeal disease still remains one of the leading killers of young children in developing countries. Objectives: To examine the effect of breastfeeding and maternal characteristics on diarrhoea morbidity among 0-2 years old children in Namibia. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study design with a multivariable log-binomial model was used to examine the effect of breastfeeding and maternal characteristics on diarrhoea morbidity among 0-2 year old children from data collected from the 2013 NDHS. Results: Breastfeeding and maternal related characteristics such as breastfeeding status, sharing toilet facilities with other households, total children ever born, health insurance cover and main language spoken in home had lower risks on child diarrhoea morbidity, while characteristics such as type of place of residence, highest educational level, electricity & refrigerator in the household, religion, wealth index, type of mosquito bed net(s) slept under last night, mother's age at first birth, current age of child, child’s residency and drugs taken for intestinal parasites in last 6 months had higher risks and region had mixed risks. Conclusions: Since studies have shown that the possibility of reducing the risk of morbidity related to diarrhoeal infections in children requires well-informed parents, all relevant organizations and governmental ministries that deals with health services and children’s well-being should make use of mass media like radio and television to constantly spread consistent messages on breastfeeding and advocate for better implementation of sanitation and hygiene practices among mothers with children aged 0-2 years, especially in rural and poorest areas of the Kavangos (East/West) and Caprivi/Zambezi regions. Keywords: Breastfeeding; diarrhoea; log-binomial model; maternal characteristics; child diarrhoea morbidity; Namibia.