Exclusive Breast-Feeding Practices in Bangladesh: An Observational Study

Abstract

Exclusive breastfeeding practices contribute to the overall well-being and development of child. In spite of Bangladesh has National Breastfeeding Policy and also Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative the exclusive breastfeeding rate in Bangladesh remains below. However, establishing EBF remains a significant problem not only in Bangladesh but in other developing nations. The aim of the study was to observe the actual scenario of exclusive breast feeding (EBF) practices in Bangladesh. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 32 government health care facilities of Bangladesh for five months. Multi stage stratified sampling design was followed for selection of study places and mothers whom visited health care facilities having a child with below one year of age was selected purposively. Data collection was conducted by using a structured questionnaire by face-face interview. Data coding and analysis or statistical analysis done by SPSS version 26. Among 320 respondents, Socio demographic characteristics of respondents revealed 92.2% were house wife; most of them had primary to higher secondary level education. Among them 75.9% of the mother delivered their baby at hospital and mode of the delivery percentage was almost similar which was 50%. Two third of the mother exclusively breast fed their child (74%) and know about benefits of colostrum (78.1%). Foster multidisciplinary teamwork, continuous leadership support, and enforce national or institutional policies, focusing on the National Breastfeeding Policy and Regulation of Breast Milk Substitutes Act can increase the practices.