郭淑瑜羅思琳2026-06-142026-06-142017-06-27https://203.71.86.71/handle/123456789/58050學位別：碩士 語文別：英文 指導教授：郭淑瑜 口試委員：張碧真;邱曉彥 中文關鍵字：母乳餵養;純母乳;餵養行為;奶瓶餵養;母乳 英文關鍵字：Breastfeeding;Exclusive;feeding behaviour;bottle feeding, Breast MilkAbstract Title of Thesis: Predictors of breastfeeding practices for children less than 24 months old in Malawi Institution: Master Program in the School of Nursing, Taipei Medical University Author: Roselyn Chipojola Thesis Advisor: Shu-Yu Kuo, Ph.D. Introduction: The benefits of breast milk in preventing infant morbidity and mortality have been well recognized, particularly in low-income countries. Few studies on breastfeeding practice and associated factors have been conducted in African mothers and to date mixed results exist. This study seeks to explore the individual, household and community level predictors of breastfeeding practices for children less than 24 months old in Malawi. Methods: A cross-sectional study using data from 2010 Malawi Demographic and Health Survey dataset which recruited 27,345 national representative participants was conducted. Breastfeeding practices including early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding, predominant breastfeeding, and bottle feeding were examined. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the associations between individual, household and community variables with breastfeeding practices. Results: A total of 7282 mothers with children under 24 months were included. 95% of the mothers initiated on breast milk within an hour after birth. Among mothers with infants aged 0-5 months, 71.4% were exclusively breastfeeding, 6.1% predominant breastfeeding, while 1.9% was bottle feeding. Mothers who initiated breastmilk early were more likely to exclusively breastfeed (OR=1.86, 95% CI, 1.1-3.2) but had lower odds of bottle feeding (OR=0.17, 95% CI, 0.07-0.4). The odds of breastfeeding initiation were higher among mothers with frequent antenatal care visits (Odds Ratio, OR for ≥4 visits=3.04, 95% Confidence Interval, CI, 1.87-4.95), and ones who delivered at the hospital (OR=1.30, 95% CI, 1.00-1.69), while decreased odds among mothers with caesarean delivery (OR=0.41, 95% CI, 0.28-0.62). Similarly, frequent antenatal care visits (OR for ≥4 visits=3.31, 95% CI, 1.51-7.26), delivery at the hospital (OR=1.60, 95% CI, 1.18-2.18) and wealthier households (OR for richer=1.60, 95% CI, 1.10-2.34) were positive predictors of exclusive breastfeeding. Neither education level nor residence was associated with initiation or exclusive breastfeeding. Mothers who were multiparous (OR=0.35, 95% CI, 0.15-0.79) or having frequent antenatal care visits (OR=0.28, 95% CI, 0.09-0.81) were less likely to predominantly breastfeed. The odds of bottle feeding were lower among mothers with frequent antenatal care visits (OR for ≥4 visits=0.30, 95% CI, 0.14-0.64), rural residence (OR=0.64, 95% CI, 0.45-0.91) and educated spouses (OR=0.57, 95% CI, 0.36-0.89). Women who delivered at the hospital (OR=1.91, 95% CI, 1.21-3.03), had higher education level (OR=2.41, 95% CI, 01.31-4.45), employed (OR=1.43, 95% CI, 1.03-1.99) and wealthier (OR for richest =3.75, 95% CI, 1.89-7.44) tend to bottle feed. Conclusion: Early initiation of breastfeeding is common, yet the exclusive breastfeeding rate is lower than the WHO breastfeeding goal. Our findings will help to plan breastfeeding strategies, like promotion of frequent prenatal visit, for better breastfeeding outcomes.系所名稱：護理學系碩士暨碩士在職專班thesis