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Background <p>The benefits of early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF) are well recognised globally. India’s newborn care guidelines also include an emphasis on ensuring EIBF. Yet, a recent national survey has reported that less than half of the newborns in India received EIBF. This is especially astounding as the proportion of institutional deliveries has reached 89% in India. This study was aimed at finding out the EIBF rate for newborns born in public sector health facilities and the factors associated with it.</p> Methods <p>The study was conducted in Chhattisgarh state where 70% of births took place in public facilities. Data was collected from mothers admitted in different types of public facilities and who had delivered there more than 24&#xa0;h earlier. A representative sample of public sector health facilities was selected. Data was collected through a structured tool from 487 mothers. Data analysis included cross-tabulations to compare the key indicators across different types of facilities. Multivariable regression analysis was conducted to find the determinants of EIBF.</p> Results <p>Overall, 61.6% mothers started breastfeeding their child within an hour of birth. Around 7.6% mothers had not started breastfeeding despite the passage of 24&#xa0;h. The EIBF rate was highest in the lower level primary facilities and lowest in the higher level secondary facilities. The multivariable regression analysis showed that the EIBF rate was significantly higher for mothers who had received advice on breastfeeding at the health facility. The caesarean-section deliveries and first order births were associated with poor EIBF.</p> Conclusions <p>The EIBF rates were significantly greater than what the recent national survey had reported for the state. Our study still shows a significant gap in ensuring EIBF, especially at the higher level secondary care facilities. It points towards larger health systems factors that affect the practice of health professionals regarding providing counseling to mothers at health facilities.</p>

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Institutional deliveries and early initiation of breastfeeding in India – lessons from comparing the public facilities in Chhattisgarh state

  • 期刊论文

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月23日

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  • Kavita Patel,
  • Vishnu Gupta,
  • Samir Garg

摘要

Background

The benefits of early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF) are well recognised globally. India’s newborn care guidelines also include an emphasis on ensuring EIBF. Yet, a recent national survey has reported that less than half of the newborns in India received EIBF. This is especially astounding as the proportion of institutional deliveries has reached 89% in India. This study was aimed at finding out the EIBF rate for newborns born in public sector health facilities and the factors associated with it.

Methods

The study was conducted in Chhattisgarh state where 70% of births took place in public facilities. Data was collected from mothers admitted in different types of public facilities and who had delivered there more than 24 h earlier. A representative sample of public sector health facilities was selected. Data was collected through a structured tool from 487 mothers. Data analysis included cross-tabulations to compare the key indicators across different types of facilities. Multivariable regression analysis was conducted to find the determinants of EIBF.

Results

Overall, 61.6% mothers started breastfeeding their child within an hour of birth. Around 7.6% mothers had not started breastfeeding despite the passage of 24 h. The EIBF rate was highest in the lower level primary facilities and lowest in the higher level secondary facilities. The multivariable regression analysis showed that the EIBF rate was significantly higher for mothers who had received advice on breastfeeding at the health facility. The caesarean-section deliveries and first order births were associated with poor EIBF.

Conclusions

The EIBF rates were significantly greater than what the recent national survey had reported for the state. Our study still shows a significant gap in ensuring EIBF, especially at the higher level secondary care facilities. It points towards larger health systems factors that affect the practice of health professionals regarding providing counseling to mothers at health facilities.