TITLE:
Prevalence and Factors Associated with Early Initiation of Breastfeeding (EIBF) in Rural Areas of Burkina Faso
AUTHORS:
Abdoulaye Hama Diallo, Seydou Ouattara, Jocelyne Valérie Gare, Salifou Bissala Saguirou, Jeoffray Diendéré, Blaise Siézanga Gnoumou, Maimouna Roseline Bamouni, Souleymane Ouédraogo
KEYWORDS:
Early Initiation of Breastfeeding, Prevalence, Risk Factors, Burkina Faso
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Epidemiology,
Vol.15 No.4,
November
5,
2025
ABSTRACT: Background/Objectives: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF) as a beneficial practice for newborns and their mothers. We conducted a breastfeeding study to estimate prevalence of EIBF and to evaluate its associated factors in rural Burkina Faso. Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of the data collected during an originally prospective cross-sectional study as part of the evaluation of the Alive & Thrive project interventions in the Boucle du Mouhoun region of Burkina Faso. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate an estimate of EIBF prevalence and its 95% CIs. We used multivariable logistic regressions to identify factors associated with EIBF-rates. Results: A total of 157 mother-infant pairs with the child being under 6 months of age were enrolled in the original dataset and all included in our analyses. The prevalence of EIBF in the study area was 12.7% [95% CI: 6.8 - 22.5]. Multivariable logistic regressions found maternal high school education (OR = 10.7, p = 0.013), multiparity (OR = 9.5, p = 0.010) and the Alive and Thrive intervention (OR = 5.5, p = 0.008) as the three factors significantly associated with increased prevalence of EIBF. Conclusion: The prevalence of EIBF was low in the study area in rural Burkina Faso. Girls schooling and scaling-up of health interventions aimed at improving infant good nutritional practices seem to be relevant options to increase EIBF.