Exclusive Breastfeeding in Sri Lanka: Problems of Interpretation of Reported Rates

Overview

Journal Int Breastfeed J

Publisher Biomed Central

Date 2009 Nov 28

PMID 19941654

Citations 23

Authors

Suneth B Agampodi

Thilini C Agampodi

Avanthi de Silva

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Accurate interpretation of reported breastfeeding rates is essential in understanding the true picture of a country's breastfeeding status. In Sri Lanka, where the reported exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) rate among infants aged from 0 to 5 months is 75%, accurate understanding of this rate is of the utmost importance. The danger of misinterpreting the data and assuming that Sri Lanka has achieved a high EBF rate is that health workers begin to believe that no further effort should be made in this area. This is very dangerous as the potential to further improve rates of EBF will not be addressed. We discuss the interpretation of survey data and various definitions used in the relevant literature. We strongly recommend that interpretation of EBF rates should be done only after careful evaluation of the definitions and survey methods used.

Citing Articles

Challenging the utility of 24-hour recall of exclusive breast feeding in Japan.

Nanishi K, Green J, Shibanuma A, Hongo H, Okawa S, Tabuchi T BMJ Glob Health. 2023; 8(12).

PMID: 38084493 PMC: 10711857. DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-013737.

Comparative Assessment of Exclusive Breastfeeding Rates From 24-Hour Recall and Since Birth Methods in Southwestern Pennsylvania Using Ecological Momentary Assessment.

Isiguzo C, Documet P, Demirci J, Youk A, Mendez G, Davis E J Hum Lact. 2023; 39(4):584-594.

PMID: 37675868 PMC: 11219032. DOI: 10.1177/08903344231193734.

Determinants of early cessation of exclusive breastfeeding practices among rural mothers from Jaffna District of Sri Lanka.

Karthigesu K, Balakumar S, Arasaratnam V Int Breastfeed J. 2023; 18(1):42.

PMID: 37580743 PMC: 10426130. DOI: 10.1186/s13006-023-00575-z.

Challenges of Continuation of Exclusive Breast Feeding up to 6 Months in a Setting with High Exclusive Breast Feeding Rates Reported. Experience from Eastern Province of Sri Lanka.

Ranasinghe J, Madushika D, Abeysundara S, Agampodi S Matern Child Health J. 2023; 27(11):1996-2001.

PMID: 37270754 DOI: 10.1007/s10995-023-03724-2.

One-week recall period gives a more accurate estimate of exclusive breastfeeding practice than 24-h recall among infants younger than six months of age.

Andarge S, Fenta E, Gebreyesus S, Belachew R Int Breastfeed J. 2021; 16(1):65.

PMID: 34454543 PMC: 8403454. DOI: 10.1186/s13006-021-00411-2.

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