Page 39 - nhms2016 maternal and child findings

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National Health And Morbidity Survey 2016 : Maternal And Child Health (MCH) Volume II : Findings

Prevalence of predominant breastfeeding practices among infants below 6 months old
by sociodemographic characteristics

The overall prevalence of predominant breastfeeding among infants below 6 months was
17.1% (95% CI: 14.33-20.31). The highest prevalence of predominant breastfeeding was
among Malays [18.3% (95% CI: 14.94-22.17)] followed by Chinese [17.8% (95% CI: 8.92-
32.24)] and Indian [13.5% (95% CI: 4.84-32.34)]. However, mothers who had higher education
levels were more likely to predominantly breastfeed [21.4% (95% CI: 16.17-27.76)] compared
to mothers who had no formal education [18.2% (95% CI: 5.35-46.59)] and mothers who were
educated up to primary school [14.7% (95% CI: 7.45-27.01)]. In terms of marital status, women
who were separated/ divorced/ widowed/ never married had a higher prevalence of
predominant breastfeeding [18.7% (95% CI: 4.22-54.61)] than mothers who were
married/cohabiting [17.1% (95% CI: 14.29-20.32)]. On the other hand, mothers who were
working in the private sector [22.1%, (95% CI: 15.75-30.06)] were more likely to predominantly
breastfeed as compared to those working in the public sector [17.40%, (95% CI: 11.87-24.87)],
housewives [15.1% (95% CI: 11.47-19.63)] and mothers who were self-employed [(12.1%,
95% CI: 5.67-23.95)]. In addition, the prevalence of infants predominantly breastfed was
highest among those from household income of RM5000 and above [21.1% (95% CI: 15.70-
27.77)] while the lowest prevalence was among those with income group of less than RM1000
[11.6% (95% CI: 5.34-23.34)] (Table 5.3.2.3).

Prevalence of continued breastfeeding at 2 years among children at 20-23 months old
by sociodemographic characteristics

Overall, the prevalence of continued breastfeeding at two years old among children aged 20-
23 months old was 39.4% (95% CI: 36.36-42.46). The highest prevalence of continued
breastfeeding at two years of age was seen among children in Pahang [52.7% (95% CI: 37.78-
67.08)], followed by Wilayah Persekutuan Putrajaya [49.3% (95% CI: 42.09-56.45)] and
Terengganu [45.6% (95% CI: 37.17-54.29)]. The prevalence of continued breastfeeding at
two years of age was seen among children from rural areas [46.1% (95% CI:42.05-50.27)] as
compared to children from urban areas [35.9% (95% CI:31.82-40.09)]. Mothers who were
Malays [44.9% (95% CI: 41.54-48.30)] and Other Bumiputera [43.2% (95% CI: 31.81-55.33)]
were more likely to continue breastfeeding at two years as compared to Chinese [18.8% (95%
CI: 11.15-29.97)] and Indian [10.4% (95% CI: 5.45-19.11)]. Mothers who had no formal
education [62.4% (95% CI: 44.00-77.80)] were significantly more likely to continue
breastfeeding at two years of age as compared to those with higher education levels [35.4%
(95% CI: 30.57-40.54)]. On the other hand, mothers who were housewives [50.4% (95% CI:
45.62-55.08)] were significantly more likely to continue breastfeeding for 2 years as compared
to those working in the private sector [26.0% (95% CI: 20.43-32.54)] and those self-employed
[34.8% (95% CI: 26.83-43.67)]. In addition, the prevalence of children who continued to be
breastfed at two years was highest among the lowest household income group of less than
RM1000 [56.8% (95% CI: 48.75-64.59)] and the lowest among those from household income
RM4000-RM4999 [31.2% (95% CI: 23.31-40.30)]. However, there was no significant difference
by sex of the child, or citizenship and marital status of the mothers (Table 5.3.2.4).

Duration of breastfeeding among children aged 0-35 months old by sociodemographic
characteristics

The median duration of breastfeeding among children aged 0-35 months old was 24 months
(25th-75th: 16-32). The longest median duration of breastfeeding among this age group of
children was in Kelantan (31 months, 25th-75th: 20-34), followed by Wilayah Persekutuan
Putrajaya (30 months, 25th-75th: 20-33) and Terengganu (29 months, 25th-75th: 19-33).
There was no significant difference in the median duration of breastfeeding by state, sex,
ethnicity of mothers, citizenship, marital status, education, occupation and household income.
The duration of breastfeeding was highest among Malays mothers (27 months, 25th-75th:
17-33) while the lowest was seen among Chinese mothers (19 months, 25th-75th: 14-30)
(Table 5.3.2.5).