Determinants of the Introduction of Prelacteal Feeds in the Maldives

Abstract Background and Objectives: This study identified the determinants of the introduction of prelacteal feeds in the Maldives. Subjects and Methods: A cohort of 458 mothers was recruited from antenatal clinics at two major hospitals in Male, the Maldives. The mothers were followed up after birth at 4 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. The child's birth, the type of infant delivery, the time breastfeeding was initiated, gender of the infants, types of prelacteal feeds, and feeding method were recorded. Results: After birth, 4.1% of infants received infant formula from the hospitals, whereas 10.6% and 7.4% of them received honey and dates, respectively, as prelacteal ritual feeds. Factors associated with introduction of ritual feeds as prelacteal feeds included the infant being a boy (p=0.05; adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=1.78; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07–2.98), attitude toward prelacteal feeds (p=0.01; AOR=2.87; 95% CI, 1.48–5.58), and maternal employment (p=0.01; AOR=2.3; 95% CI, 1.4–3.9). Higher mate...