title: Sociodemographic correlates of breast feeding in Ghana.
abstract: This study utilizes data from the Ghana Fertility Survey (GFS) (1979-1980) to investigate breast feeding in Ghana and the factors that affect it. Using life table procedures, we found evidence that, when other factors are held constant, older cohorts, women with no schooling, those who work in the agricultural sector, those affiliated with traditional Ghanaian religions, Mole-Dagbanis, rural residents, residents of the Volta, Brong-Ahafo, northern, and upper regions, and low-parity women show longer durations of breast feeding. It is recommended that, along with other fertility reduction measures, prolonged breast feeding among all Ghanaian mothers should be encouraged to help reduce conception and to ensure healthy children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology, State University of New York, Potsdam 13676.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Oheneba-Sakyi
authors.forename: B K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Takyi
mesh_terms: D001828:Body Image; D001942:Breast Feeding; D004522:Educational Status; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D005869:Ghana; D006801:Humans; D015993:Life Tables; D008423:Maternal Age; D009790:Occupations; D010298:Parity; D012067:Religion; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D013997:Time Factors