title: Breast-milk substitutes: a new old-threat for breastfeeding policy in developing countries. A case study in a traditionally high breastfeeding country.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Developing countries with traditionally breastfeeding are now experiencing the increasing pressure of formula milk marketing. This may endanger lives and undermine the efforts of national policies in achieving the objectives of the Millennium Development Goals. We examined the use of, and factors for use, of all available breast-milk substitutes (BMS) in a country with a traditionally high rate of breastfeeding.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomised multi-stage sampling surveys in 90 villages in 12/17 provinces in Laos.
  
  
  METHODS
  1057 mothers with infants under 24 months of age.
  
  
  METHODS
  50-query questionnaire and a poster of 22 BMS (8 canned or powdered milk; 6 non-dairy; 6 formulas; 2 non-formulas). OUTCOME MEASURES INCLUDED: prevalence of use and age of starting BMS in relation to socio-demographic characteristics and information sources, by univariate and multivariate analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 1057 mothers: 72.5% currently breastfed; 25.4% gave BMS (10.6% infant formula); 19.6% gave BMS before 6 months of age (of them: 83% non-dairy or cereals; mean age: 2.9 months; 95% Confidence interval: 2.6-3.2). One formula and one non-formula product accounted for 85% of BMS. BMS were considered as milk by the majority of mothers. Thai TV was the main source of information on BMS for mothers. Lao Loum mothers (the main ethnic group) living in concrete houses with good sanitary conditions, were more likely than others to use BMS before 6 months (OR: 1.79, (1.15-2.78), p<0.009). Mothers who fed their infants colostrum at birth were less likely to use BMS before 6 months of age (OR: 0.63, (0.41-0.99), p = 0.04). Unemployed mothers living in rural areas were less likely to consider BMS better than breast milk.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In Laos, mothers with the highest socio-economic status are showing a tendency to give up breastfeeding. Successful educational strategies and advocacy measures should be urgently developed to promote and sustain breastfeeding in developing countries.
authors.affiliation: Institut de la Francophonie pour la Médecine Tropicale, Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic. barenneshub@yahoo.fr
authors.forename: Hubert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Barennes
authors.forename: Gwenaelle
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Empis
authors.forename: Thao Duong
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Quang
authors.forename: Khouanheuan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sengkhamyong
authors.forename: Phonethepa
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Phasavath
authors.forename: Aina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Harimanana
authors.forename: Emercia M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Sambany
authors.forename: Paulin N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Koffi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007812:Laos; D041941:Milk Substitutes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009035:Mothers; D012923:Social Class; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires