The present report integrates and summarizes the results from thirteen Demographic and Health Surveys carried out between 1986 and 1990 in Africa. The initiation of breastfeeding ranged from 92% to 99%. The median duration of breastfeeding (BFDUR) ranged from 15.2 to 24.4 mo. About 70% of infants were not exclusively breastfed during the first 4 months of life. Although there were wide variations in breastfeeding practices across countries two patterns were identified based on the velocity of decline in breastfeeding during the first year of life. Countries that experienced a fast decline in breastfeeding during the first year of life had a BFDUR ranging from 15.2 mo to 16.7 mo. Countries with a slower decline in breastfeeding during the first year had a BFDUR of 17.9 mo to 24.4 mo. Within all countries breastfeeding duration was longer in rural than in urban areas and among women with low (vs high) levels of education. Similar relationships were found when analysis were performed across countries. Results suggest that it is important to identify the factor(s) that might be responsible for the inverse relationship between breastfeeding and urbanity and socioeconomic level. This knowledge is essential for the planning and implementation of effective interventions designed to protect breastfeeding in Africa.
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