Clinical Scorecard: Exclusive Breastfeeding Rates in Zambian Infants Under Six Months
At a Glance
Category
Detail
Condition
Exclusive breastfeeding among Zambian infants aged 0 to 5 months
Key Mechanisms
The study measured exclusive breastfeeding as receipt of only breast milk during the preceding 24 hours; it did not assess causal mechanisms.
Target Population
Youngest living infants aged 0 to 5 months residing with their mothers in the 2013–2014, 2018, and 2024 Zambia Demographic and Health Surveys.
Care Setting
Nationally representative population-based survey context in Zambia; findings include subgroup patterns by geography and delivery location.
Key Highlights
Weighted exclusive breastfeeding prevalence declined from 72.4% in 2013–2014 to 65.5% in 2024, an absolute change of −6.9 percentage points (95% CI, −11.6 to −2.3; P for trend = .004).
The analysis included 3,078 infants across three Zambia Demographic and Health Survey cycles.
After Bonferroni correction, significant subgroup declines were reported among mothers aged 20 to 29 years, residents of Southern Province, and women with home deliveries.
The study used a 24-hour recall measure, which may overestimate exclusive breastfeeding maintained continuously from birth.
The authors call for continued monitoring and renewed programmatic attention to breastfeeding promotion and support in Zambia.
Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Exclusive breastfeeding was defined as receiving only breast milk during the preceding 24 hours.
Management
The authors recommend renewed community- and facility-based breastfeeding promotion and support.
Monitoring & Follow-up
The authors recommend continued monitoring of exclusive breastfeeding in Zambia.
Interpret subgroup findings cautiously because analyses were exploratory and some strata had smaller sample sizes.
Risks
The 24-hour recall measure may overestimate exclusive breastfeeding maintained continuously from birth.
Only three survey cycles were available, limiting assessment of annual trends and short-term changes.
Subgroup comparisons involved multiple testing; only declines in the specified subgroups remained significant after Bonferroni correction.
Patient & Prescribing Data
Infants aged 0 to 5 months, represented by the youngest living infant residing with the mother in each surveyed household.
No treatment or prescribing data were evaluated; the study assessed exclusive breastfeeding prevalence and trends.
Clinical Best Practices
Use the study’s stated 24-hour recall definition when interpreting its exclusive breastfeeding estimates.
Distinguish the overall national trend from subgroup results and account for the Bonferroni correction applied to exploratory comparisons.
Consider the study authors’ call for continued monitoring and renewed community- and facility-based breastfeeding support.
