The effects of exclusive versus non-exclusive breastfeeding on specific infant morbidities in Conakry

BACKGROUND This study examines the effect of exclusive versus non-exclusive breastfeeding on specific infant morbidities from birth to nine months, in Conakry (Guinea). METHOD A cross-sectional study was conducted on 1,167 mother-infant pairs who visited one of 20 immunization centres in Conakry for vaccination between the 45(th) and 270(th) days of the child's life. Two data sources were used: the infant health book and an orally administered questionnaire completed with the mother. Data analyses included univariate cross-tabulations and multivariate logistic regression models to estimate the effect of breastfeeding on infant morbidity. RESULTS Exclusive breastfeeding decreased with the infant's age. At six months of age, the proportion of infants who were exclusively breastfed was only 15.5%. After adjusting for the infant's age, and the interaction between the type of breastfeeding and the infant's age, exclusive breastfeeding significantly protected the infants against many of the studied morbidities (OR: 0.28, CI: 0.15-0.51) and specifically against diarrhoea (OR: 0.38; 95% CI: 0.17 - 0.86), respiratory infections (OR: 0.27; 95% CI: 0.14 - 0.50), and low growth rate (OR: 0.11; 95% CI: 0.02 - 0.46), but not for otitis, urinary infection, or meningitis. CONCLUSION This investigation confirmed the protective effects of exclusive breastfeeding on some specific infant's morbidities during the first nine months of life. The results of this study are of great importance for the development of an information program designed to encourage the exclusive breastfeeding among the mothers of Conakry, Guinea.