| Abstrakt: |
Infant and young child feeding practices (IYCF) are crucial for children's growth and development but often deteriorate during periods of instability. A cross‐sectional survey conducted in three oblasts of Ukraine—Kyiv City and Kyiv, Lviv, and Odesa—enroled 724 children 0–23 months of age from 699 households. Using global WHO IYCF Guidelines, 12 indicators of optimal IYCF practices were evaluated. The study found IYCF practices to be relatively stable since 2015, despite the continued escalation of conflict, with an improvement in exclusive breastfeeding (EBF). EBF was reported by 51% of mothers, while breastfeeding was initiated early in 65% of children. Complementary feeding practices were optimal for most children, with 79% having a minimum acceptable diet. Infant formula assistance was independently associated with suboptimal breastfeeding practices in multi‐variable models. Children from households that received formula assistance had 67% (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.33, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.14–0.73) lower odds of being exclusively breastfed, 65% (aOR 0.35, 95% CI 0.20–0.61) lower odds of continued breastfeeding at 12 months, and 3.3 times (95% CI 2.31–4.78) higher odds of being bottlefed. Baby food assistance did not independently predict a minimum acceptable diet. High levels of optimal complementary feeding sustained since 2015 suggest protective factors for child nutrition in Ukraine, such as domestic agriculture and social safety nets. Additionally, maternal education was consistently linked to better IYCF outcomes, highlighting the need for targeted support for less‐educated mothers. The negative association of formula assistance with EBF warrants further research alongside reinforcement of guidelines to prevent inappropriate formula targeting. Key messages: Infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices often decline during armed conflict. In Ukraine, key indicators have remained stable since 2015, although prevalence of optimal complementary feeding practice indicators continue to exceed that of breastfeeding practices.The sustained high levels of optimal complementary feeding underscore potentially protective factors for child nutrition present in Ukraine, such as domestic agriculture and social safety nets, that should be closely monitored and maintained.The link between formula assistance and reduced breastfeeding underscores the need for stricter enforcement and oversight of infant formula guidelines, alongside further research.Higher maternal education significantly predicted optimal feeding practices. IYCF programs should provide targeted support to caregivers with lower educational attainment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
