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. 2008 Nov 18;87(1):12–19. doi: 10.2471/BLT.07.050666

Table 2. Frequency (%) of feeding problems classified by CHWs during breastfeeding assessments and χ² for association between CHW classification and physicians’ ascertainment of a history of a feeding problema in 317 neonates, Mirzapur, Bangladesh, 2005–2006.

Feeding problems Frequency
Association
% 95% CI χ² (DF = 1) P-value
Feeding observation by CHWs
Sign of improper attachment
Chin not touching breast 5.4 3.2–8.4 6.2 0.013
Lower lip not turned outward 10.7 7.5–14.7 6.1 0.013
More areola below than above mouth 9.1 6.2–12.9 7.9 0.005
Mouth not wide open 5.4 3.2–8.4 16.7 0.000
Sign of improper positioning
Head and body not straight 9.1 6.2–12.9 0.8 0.363
Body not close to mother 10.1 7.0–14.0 0.1 0.819
Entire body not fully supported 10.1 7.0–14.0 0.1 0.819
Not facing breast, nose not opposite nipple 1.9 0.7–4.1 5.0 0.026
Classification of feeding problems
Attachment problem
Not attachedb 1.6 0.5–3.6 29.0 0.000
Not well attachedc 11.0 7.8–15.0 0.0 0.894
Not attached or not well attached 12.6 9.2–16.8 4.6 0.032
Positioning problem
Not well positionedd 16.4 12.5–20.9 0.1 0.763
Sucking problem
Not sucking at all 0.9 0.2–2.7 117.0 0.000
Not sucking effectivelye 5.0 2.9–8.1 1.0 0.329
Not sucking at all or not sucking effectivelye 6.0 3.6–9.2 28.2 0.000
Any attachment, positioning or sucking problem 20.2 16.2–25.4 4.4 0.036

CHW, community health worker; CI, confidence interval; DF, degree of freedom (Pearson’s χ² test for associations).
a Of 317 mothers, 8 (2.5%, 95% CI: 1.1–4.9%) reported that the baby “had a feeding problem” when asked by a physician.
b Neonate unable to take the nipple into the mouth and keep it there to suck.
c Neonate with one or more of the four signs of improper attachment listed above.
d Neonate with one or more of the four signs of improper positioning listed above.
e Effective sucking was defined as slow, deep sucking with occasional pausing.