Multimorbidity and breastfeeding practices: findings  from a population-based survey in Peru during 2024

Dayana Barriga Rodriguez; José Chaquila Cubillas

doi:10.12873/461jachaquila

Authors

Dayana Barriga-Rodriguez Carrera Profesional de Nutrición, Universidad Peruano Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4603-9619
José A. Chaquila Sociedad Peruana de Nutrición https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2303-0486

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12873/461jachaquila

Keywords:

Non-Communicable Diseases, Maternal Health, Health promotion, Postnatal care

Abstract

Objective: To examine the association between multimorbidity and breastfeeding practices among Peruvian women of reproductive age who participated in a national survey.

Materials and Methods: This was a secondary analysis of the 2024 Peruvian Demographic and Family Health Survey. The exposure variable was multimorbidity, constructed from three possible non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs): obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. This variable included three categories: no condition, one condition, and two or more conditions. The outcomes were two breastfeeding practices: exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) and early initiation of breastfeeding (EIB), both categorized dichotomously. Potential confounders were also considered. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were conducted using Poisson regression with robust variance.

Results: A total of 8,163 women were eligible for the analysis. Overall, 65.3% did not practice EBF, and 45.3% had a delayed initiation of breastfeeding. Additionally, 42.1% had one NCD and 4.4% had two or more. A higher number of NCDs was associated with a lower prevalence of optimal breastfeeding practices, showing a dose–response pattern. In the multivariable model, women with two or more NCDs had a 33% lower prevalence of EIB (PR: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.55–0.82). However, multimorbidity was not significantly associated with EBF.

Conclusion: These findings underscore the need for targeted support strategies for women with multiple NCDs to promote optimal breastfeeding practices in the Latin American context.

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