TITLE:
Determinants of Exclusive Breastfeeding at 6 Months in Infants in Brazzaville
AUTHORS:
Judicaël Kambourou, Aymar Pierre Gildas Oko, Linda Isabelle Espérance Nsivouila, John Claude Edzan, Neli Yvette Ngakengni, Léticia Lombet, Wilson Fabrice Ondongo, Engoba Moyen, Georges Marius Moyen
KEYWORDS:
Exclusive Breastfeeding, Determinants, Infants, Brazzaville
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Pediatrics,
Vol.15 No.5,
September
25,
2025
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Breastfeeding is the best way to feed newborns and infants. The WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life. Patients and Methods: A multicenter cross-sectional analytic study was carried out from December 1, 2023, to November 31, 2024, in the CHU-B mother-child consultation unit and eight integrated health centers. It targeted infants aged 6 to 24 months. The variables studied were socio-demographic characteristics, mothers’ and infants’ histories, feeding, and mothers’ knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding. SPSS software was used for data analysis. Results: A total of 1008 infants were included; the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months was 26.4%. Factors influencing exclusive breastfeeding were caesarean section, neonatal resuscitation, knowledge of the benefits of EI, and support from relatives during the EI period (p Conclusion: The rate of exclusive breastfeeding in the Congo is up compared to previous years, but efforts are still needed to meet WHO and UNICEF requirements.