Abstract
Background: Breastfeeding is important for early childhood nutrition and health. The positive effects on educational outcomes may be attributed to socioeconomic factors. Socioeconomic status is not a strong predictor of breastfeeding in sub-Saharan African countries. Yet, few studies have investigated the association between breastfeeding and educational outcomes in these countries.
Objective: This study investigated the association between breastfeeding duration and children’s educational attainment in rural Southwest Uganda.
Methods: We analysed longitudinal data on 3018 children who had information on breastfeeding and were followed for at least five years, with at least one primary school grade recorded by 2005. Data on breastfeeding duration were collected from mothers. The highest school grade was recorded repeatedly between ages six and twelve years. We calculated age-for-grade based on whether a child was on, over, or under the official age for a grade. Generalised estimating equations and binary logistic regression estimated the effect of breastfeeding duration on being two years, three or more years, or any years over-age for grade in primary school, adjusting for socioeconomic status and maternal-child characteristics.
Results: Most mothers breastfed for more than a year. Just over one-third breastfed for 18 to 23 months, and thirty percent breastfed for longer. By age eight, 42% of the children were two years over-age for their grade. Three or more years over-age for grade increased from 19% at age nine to 56% at age twelve. Both adjusted and unadjusted estimates were consistent in showing reduced odds for children being two years, three or more years, or any years over-age for grade among children breastfed for 7-12, 13-17, 18-23, and >23 months compared to those breastfed for 0-6 months. There was no evidence to support an overall association between breastfeeding duration and being over-age for grade. There was no evidence of association in the sex and age sub-group analyses.
Conclusion: Even though we found no association between breastfeeding duration and educational attainment, breastfeeding remains important for children’s health and nutrition, and mothers should be encouraged and supported to breastfeed for the recommended duration.
Objective: This study investigated the association between breastfeeding duration and children’s educational attainment in rural Southwest Uganda.
Methods: We analysed longitudinal data on 3018 children who had information on breastfeeding and were followed for at least five years, with at least one primary school grade recorded by 2005. Data on breastfeeding duration were collected from mothers. The highest school grade was recorded repeatedly between ages six and twelve years. We calculated age-for-grade based on whether a child was on, over, or under the official age for a grade. Generalised estimating equations and binary logistic regression estimated the effect of breastfeeding duration on being two years, three or more years, or any years over-age for grade in primary school, adjusting for socioeconomic status and maternal-child characteristics.
Results: Most mothers breastfed for more than a year. Just over one-third breastfed for 18 to 23 months, and thirty percent breastfed for longer. By age eight, 42% of the children were two years over-age for their grade. Three or more years over-age for grade increased from 19% at age nine to 56% at age twelve. Both adjusted and unadjusted estimates were consistent in showing reduced odds for children being two years, three or more years, or any years over-age for grade among children breastfed for 7-12, 13-17, 18-23, and >23 months compared to those breastfed for 0-6 months. There was no evidence to support an overall association between breastfeeding duration and being over-age for grade. There was no evidence of association in the sex and age sub-group analyses.
Conclusion: Even though we found no association between breastfeeding duration and educational attainment, breastfeeding remains important for children’s health and nutrition, and mothers should be encouraged and supported to breastfeed for the recommended duration.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 2338023 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Journal | Global Health Action |
| Volume | 17 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 23 Apr 2024 |
Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)
- Breastfeeding
- educational attainment
- schooling
- educational achievement
- Uganda
- sub-Saharan Africa