This cross-sectional study aimed at investigating infant feeding practices and their sociodemographic
correlates in Mangochi District, Malawi. Questionnaire data from 157 rural and
192 semiurban mother-infant pairs were obtained. Early breastfeeding (< 1 hour after delivery)
was practiced among 68.2% of the rural and 63% of the semiurban mothers. Colostrum
was given by 96% of the sampled mothers. Exclusive breastfeeding rates in the sample at 2,
4, and 6 months were 39.1%, 27.5%, and 7.5%, respectively. At 4 months, exclusive breastfeeding
was significantly higher in the semiurban (46.8%) than in the rural (4.7%) group.
Living in the rural area (OR = 1.87; 95% CI 1.26-2.76) and giving birth outside a health
facility (OR = 1.36; 95% CI 1.00-1.85) were risk factors for stopping exclusive breastfeeding
before 6 months. The results suggest that semiurban mothers are more likely to practice
optimum breastfeeding and that health facilities have an important role in its promotion.
Keywords: optimum breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding, infant-feeding behavior, demographic
factors, maternal health services, maternal-child health services, Malawi, Africa