Determinants of Exclusive Breastfeeding Practice among Mothers of Children Age Less Than 6 Month in Bahir Dar City Administration, Northwest Ethiopia; A Community Based Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

Background- Exclusive breastfeeding is the optimal feeding practice to achieve infants’ growth and development. Most mothers breastfeed their children but malnutrition is still prevalent in Ethiopia. Factors affecting exclusive breastfeeding practice are less known in the study area. Therefore the study aimed to assess its determinants among mother of children age less than 6 months in Bahir Dar city administration, Ethiopia. Method: Community based cross sectional survey was conducted from Jan to Feb 2013. In Bahir Dar city administration there were a total 20 (12 Urban & 8 Rural) Kebles, of which 6 (4 Urban & 2 Rural) were selected randomly using lottery method. The registration of mothers who had a child age less than 6 months by the local HEW was used as a sampling frame. Data was collected using interviewer administered questionnaire and was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 16. Logistic regression was used to identify determinants. P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 159 mothers were interviewed (93.5% response rate). Respondent’s mean age was 27.2±4.6 years, 2/3rd of respondents were housewives by occupation, and more than 90% of participants were urban residents and were married. Prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding was 49.1%. Mother education level (AOR=2.99), child sex (AOR=2.22), Parity (AOR=2.46), family size (AOR=2.92), and time of postnatal care (AOR=3.44) were independent predictors of exclusive breastfeeding practice in the study area. Conclusion & recommendation: Practice of exclusive breastfeeding was below the WHO recommendation and the target of the fifth Ethiopian Health Sector Development program. Mother education, child sex, parity, family size, and time of postnatal care were the independent predictors of exclusive breast feeding practice. The city administration should work on promoting exclusive breastfeeding practice giving special emphasis to educated mothers. The government should also consider revising the legislation of the two month postpartum maternity leave.