{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,28]],"date-time":"2026-09-28T14:56:42Z","timestamp":1790607402470,"version":"4.1.0"},"reference-count":26,"publisher":"Wiley","issue":"3","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,11]],"date-time":"2026-08-11T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1786406400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,11]],"date-time":"2026-08-11T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1786406400000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/doi.wiley.com\/10.1002\/tdm_license_1.1"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["onlinelibrary.wiley.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Public Health Challenges"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,9]]},"abstract":"ABSTRACT<\/jats:title>\n \n Introduction<\/jats:title>\n Giving only breast milk in the first 6 months lowers the chances of childhood diseases and death. Still, it is difficult to promote ideal breastfeeding among internally displaced persons (IDPs) in camps. This research is intended to find out how many mothers are feeding their children under five with only breast milk in IDPs camps in Goma, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Methods<\/jats:title>\n \n Between November 2024 and February 2025, an analytical cross\u2010sectional study was conducted in five major IDPs camps in Goma. A total of 407 eligible mothers or primary caregivers were recruited and participated in the study using a structured and pre\u2010tested questionnaire. Data were collected on sociodemographic characteristics, including maternal age, place of residence, and infant feeding practices. The chi\u2010square (\n \u03c7<\/jats:italic>\n 2<\/jats:sup>\n ) test was employed to assess associations between exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) and selected explanatory variables, with statistical significance determined at\n p<\/jats:italic>\n \u00a0<\u00a00.05.\n <\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Results<\/jats:title>\n \n The prevalence of EBF was 20.9%. Significant associations were observed between EBF and maternal age (\n \u03c7<\/jats:italic>\n 2<\/jats:sup>\n \u00a0=\u00a018.8 and\n p<\/jats:italic>\n \u00a0<\u00a00.05), educational level (\n p<\/jats:italic>\n \u00a0<\u00a00.05), marital status (\n p<\/jats:italic>\n \u00a0<\u00a00.05), presence of both parents (\n p<\/jats:italic>\n \u00a0<\u00a00.05), prematurity status (\n \u03c7<\/jats:italic>\n 2<\/jats:sup>\n \u00a0=\u00a07.64 and\n p<\/jats:italic>\n \u00a0=\u00a00.022), and source of household income (\n \u03c7<\/jats:italic>\n 2<\/jats:sup>\n \u00a0=\u00a028.3 and\n p<\/jats:italic>\n \u00a0<\u00a00.001). Higher EBF rates were reported among younger mothers, those with higher education, married women, and households receiving humanitarian aid (51.6%) compared to those relying on trade (16.2%). No significant associations were found between EBF and child's sex (\n \u03c7<\/jats:italic>\n 2<\/jats:sup>\n \u00a0=\u00a00.177 and\n p<\/jats:italic>\n \u00a0=\u00a00.674), camp of residence (\n \u03c7<\/jats:italic>\n 2<\/jats:sup>\n \u00a0=\u00a00.688 and\n p<\/jats:italic>\n \u00a0=\u00a00.953), or household size (\n \u03c7<\/jats:italic>\n 2<\/jats:sup>\n \u00a0=\u00a03.78 and\n p<\/jats:italic>\n \u00a0=\u00a00.052).\n <\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n IDPs camps demonstrate markedly low levels of exclusive breastfeeding, highlighting significant disparities between displaced populations and the general population. These findings underscore the need for targeted, context\u2010specific interventions, including strengthened maternal education, increased paternal support, and enhanced breastfeeding support programs, to improve infant health outcomes in humanitarian and crisis settings.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1002\/puh2.70341","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,11]],"date-time":"2026-08-11T15:56:42Z","timestamp":1786463802000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Determinants of Exclusive Breastfeeding for the First 6 Months Among Children Under Five in Internally Displaced Persons Camps in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo; a Cross\u2010Sectional Study"],"prefix":"10.1002","volume":"5","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0000-1388-3445","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Alimasi","family":"Kashafali","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Research Medical Research Circle (MedReC) Goma D. R. Congo"},{"name":"Faculty of Medicine Official University of Bukavu Bukavu D. R. Congo"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-7593-9539","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Abel","family":"Aizeque","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Health Sciences Catholic University of Mozambique Beira Mozambique"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Zubayer","family":"Shams","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Brunel Medical School Brunel University London UK"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0002-6211-7522","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Kanza","family":"Farhan","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Jinnah Sindh Medical University Karachi Pakistan"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-4102-4995","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Amidu","family":"Alhassan","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Research Medical Research Circle (MedReC) Goma D. R. Congo"},{"name":"Department of Adult Health College of Health and Allied Sciences University of Cape Coast Cape Coast Ghana"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Bilal","family":"Ahmad","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Medicine Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al\u2010Nahyan Medical and Dental College Lahore Pakistan"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-7231-5456","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Innocent","family":"Mufungizi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Research Medical Research Circle (MedReC) Goma D. R. Congo"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Frank Offei","family":"Odonkor","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Adult Health College of Health and Allied Sciences University of Cape Coast Cape Coast Ghana"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0000-7206-3463","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Elie","family":"Kihanduka","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Research Medical Research Circle (MedReC) Goma D. R. Congo"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0004-8547-3153","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Christian","family":"Tague","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Research Medical Research Circle (MedReC) Goma D. R. Congo"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Calvin R.","family":"Wei","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Research and Development Shing Huei Group Taipei Taiwan"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-2740-1165","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Francois","family":"Rhugendabanga","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Research Medical Research Circle (MedReC) Goma D. R. Congo"},{"name":"Faculty of Medicine Official University of Bukavu Bukavu D. R. Congo"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-7779-8853","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Rodrigue Fikiri","family":"Bavurhe","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Research Medical Research Circle (MedReC) Goma D. R. Congo"},{"name":"Faculty of Medicine Official University of Bukavu Bukavu D. R. Congo"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-7939-8848","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Hugues","family":"Cakirwa","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Research Medical Research Circle (MedReC) Goma D. R. Congo"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-7907-2060","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Fabien","family":"Balagizi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Research Medical Research Circle (MedReC) Goma D. R. Congo"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Aymar","family":"Akilimali","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Research Medical Research Circle (MedReC) Goma D. R. Congo"},{"name":"Faculty of Medicine University of Goma Goma D. R. Congo"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0006-3102-8542","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Freddy","family":"Zihindula","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Research Medical Research Circle (MedReC) Goma D. R. Congo"},{"name":"Faculty of Medicine Evangelical University in Africa Bukavu D. R. Congo"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Mich\u00e9e Sanza","family":"Kanda","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Public Health Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology Bhubaneswar India"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Amos Kipkorir","family":"Langat","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Research Medical Research Circle (MedReC) Goma D. R. Congo"},{"name":"Pan African University Institute for Basic Sciences Technology and Innovation Nairobi Kenya"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"name":"Medical Research Circle (MedReC) Collaborators","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"311","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,11]]},"reference":[{"key":"e_1_2_15_2_1","volume-title":"Exclusive Breastfeeding for Six Months Best for Babies Everywhere","author":"World Health Organization","year":"2011"},{"key":"e_1_2_15_3_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/S0140\u20106736(07)61690\u20100"},{"key":"e_1_2_15_4_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/S0140\u20106736(15)01024\u20107"},{"key":"e_1_2_15_5_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/hsr2.2257"},{"key":"e_1_2_15_6_1","unstructured":"Save the Children A Life Free From Hunger: Tackling Child Malnutrition(Save the Children Fund 2012)."},{"key":"e_1_2_15_7_1","unstructured":"Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre Democratic Republic of the Congo: Displacement Associated With Conflict and Violence(IDMC 2023)."},{"key":"e_1_2_15_8_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pgph.0000957"},{"key":"e_1_2_15_9_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s12884\u2010020\u201003273\u20104"},{"key":"e_1_2_15_10_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s12884\u2010020\u201003273\u20104"},{"key":"e_1_2_15_11_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/S0140\u20106736(15)01044\u20102"},{"key":"e_1_2_15_12_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s13006\u2010020\u201000275\u2010y"},{"key":"e_1_2_15_13_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0281576"},{"issue":"1","key":"e_1_2_15_14_1","first-page":"31","article-title":"Prevalence and Predictors of Exclusive Breastfeeding Among Mothers in a Semi\u2010Urban Nigerian Community: A Cross\u2010Sectional Study","volume":"19","author":"Adebayo A. M.","year":"2021","journal-title":"Annals of Ibadan Postgraduate Medicine"},{"key":"e_1_2_15_15_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s12884\u2010025\u201007651\u20108"},{"key":"e_1_2_15_16_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s12889\u2010025\u201023045\u2010z"},{"key":"e_1_2_15_17_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598\u2010023\u201046734\u20104"},{"key":"e_1_2_15_18_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.4314\/ahs.v14i4.36"},{"key":"e_1_2_15_19_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jand.2021.02.005"},{"key":"e_1_2_15_20_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s13006\u2010020\u201000280\u20101"},{"key":"e_1_2_15_21_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s13006\u2010020\u201000284\u2010x"},{"key":"e_1_2_15_22_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s13006\u2010020\u201000313\u20109"},{"key":"e_1_2_15_23_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s13006\u2010019\u20100225\u2010x"},{"key":"e_1_2_15_24_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s12889\u2010023\u201015758\u2010w"},{"key":"e_1_2_15_25_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3345\/cep.2024.00815"},{"key":"e_1_2_15_26_1","first-page":"145","article-title":"Determinants of Exclusive Breastfeeding Practice Amongst Mothers With Children Below Six Months of Age in Dayah IDP Camp Mogadishu, Somalia","volume":"6","author":"Abdulle A. H.","year":"2023","journal-title":"Asian Journal of Medical Principles and Clinical Practice"},{"key":"e_1_2_15_27_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.11604\/pamj.2023.45.105.35949"}],"container-title":["Public Health Challenges"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1002\/puh2.70341","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/full-xml\/10.1002\/puh2.70341","content-type":"application\/xml","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1002\/puh2.70341","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,28]],"date-time":"2026-09-28T14:08:11Z","timestamp":1790604491000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1002\/puh2.70341"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,11]]},"references-count":26,"journal-issue":{"issue":"3","published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,9]]}},"alternative-id":["10.1002\/puh2.70341"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/puh2.70341","archive":["Portico"],"relation":{},"ISSN":["2769-2450","2769-2450"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2769-2450","type":"print"},{"value":"2769-2450","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,11]]},"assertion":[{"value":"2025-06-09","order":0,"name":"received","label":"Received","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}},{"value":"2026-07-28","order":2,"name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}},{"value":"2026-08-11","order":3,"name":"published","label":"Published","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}}],"article-number":"e70341"}}