Urban-rural Gaps in Early Initiation of Breastfeeding (IEBF) Practices: Evidence from Thailand

Abstract

Evidence that several factors can play a role as risk factors for breastfeeding initiation. This study aimed to examine the risk factors of early breastfeeding initiation in Thailand which are differentiated by place of residence. This study used secondary data from the Thailand MICS (Multiple Indicators Cluster Survey) in 2022. The total sample lived in an urban area is 1226, and those living in rural areas is 1,430. The analysis of this study has differentiated to urban areas. The statistical test used is STATA. The prevalence of EIBF in urban. The findings of both places of residence revealed that delivery by cesarean section was a risk factor in the urban and rural areas, with AOR 2.5 and 1.93 times, respectively. Another risk factor in an urban is formal marriage, while in a rural area is delivery with a practical nurse and low birth weight. The factors supporting EIBF implementation are the wealth index with AOR 0.48 and 1.46, respectively. Government and stockholders can focus on supporting the financial issues in the households to decrease the probability of not EIBF. Future studies can include more variables at household and community levels and add a qualitative approach.