Constraints on weaning

Evidence from Ethiopia and Sudan

Bibliographic Data

ID24077992
AuthorsAstier M Almedom (University of Oxford), Alexander De Waal (University of Oxford)
Year1990
Volume22
Issue4
Pages489-500
Publication date1990-10-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Biosocial Science (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0021-9320 • E-ISSN: 1469-7599
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0021932000018897
PMID2250040
OpenAlexW2033701683
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited15

Evidence on infant weaning processes provided by field research in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and among a refugee population of Eritreans in the Sudan is presented. The study in Addis Ababa, where households were economically disadvantaged but the situation was nutritionally stable, allowed the identification of factors constraining weaning, which includes both the introduction of supplementary foods and the termination of breastfeeding. While the timing of each aspect of weaning was the outcome of the interaction between mother and infant factors, ‘infant-centred’ factors were more important in the commencement and ‘mother-centred’ factors in the completion of weaning. The refugee population had in normal times a similar weaning regime, but under the unstable conditions of flight and life in a refugee camp the process had been significantly altered. Investigation of the factors which have led to altered weaning processes elaborates and confirms the model derived from the Addis Ababa study.

Breastfeeding · Disadvantaged · Economic growth · Economics · Environmental health · Geography · Population · Refugee · Socioeconomics · Sociology · Weaning · Child Nutrition and Water Access · Demography · Early Childhood Education and Development · Medicine · Poverty, Education, and Child Welfare · Pediatrics