Microsoft Word - AMICS-29Jan2013 - Childinfo.org

Percentage of children age 0-23 months who were fed with a bottle with a nipple during
the previous day, Afghanistan, 2010-2011
Age
Percentage of
children age 0-23
months fed with a
bottle with a nipple 1
Number of children
age 0-23 months
Female 28.1 2,329
0-5 months 22.6 1,202
6-11 months 31.8 1,042
12-23 months 29.5 2,497
Region
Central 30.9 798
Central Highlands 17.0 186
East 21.4 475
North 22.8 721
North East 26.0 863
South 53.8 350
South East 26.8 720
West 30.1 627
Residence
Urban 31.9 900
Rural 27.4 3,841
Mother s education
None 28.0 4,202
Primary 28.2 281
Secondary + 32.5 258
Wealth index quintile
Poorest 25.8 895
Second 27.4 1,014
Middle 27.1 943
Fourth 28.2 944
Richest 32.7 945
Total 28.2 4,741
1
MICS indicator 2.11
Table 5.7 shows that bottle-feeding is still prevalent in Afghanistan. More than a quarter of
children under six months of age (28%) are fed using a bottle with a nipple. As the mother s
education level and wealth index quintile increases, infants are more likely to be fed through a
bottle with a nipple. The highest prevalence of bottle-feeding is observed among children age 0-
23 months in the Southern region (54%).
Salt Iodization
Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) are the world s leading cause of preventable mental
retardation and impaired psychomotor development in young children. In its most extreme
form, iodine deficiency causes cretinism. It also increases the risks of stillbirth and miscarriage
in pregnant women. Iodine deficiency is most commonly and visibly associated with goitre. IDD
takes its greatest toll in impaired mental growth and development, contributing in turn to poor
school performance, reduced intellectual ability, and impaired work performance. The
international goal was to achieve sustainable elimination of iodine deficiency by 2005. The
indicator used is the percentage of households consuming adequately iodized salt (>15 parts
per million).
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