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Abstract
Background Exclusive breastfeeding has an irrepressible benefit to a child. However, the practice is still low with salient factors in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess exclusive breastfeeding practice and normative beliefs among mothers who have children less than two years of age in Ethiopia, 2019. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample size of 423 in Ethiopia from March 12 to December 18, 2019. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. Gender-matched six Focus Group Discussions were conducted. Semistructured guiding questions were used to carry out the discussion. The binary logistic regression model was used to determine the association between dependent and independent variables of the quantitative part. Results The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding practice was 77.5% (95% CI: 73.5, 81.5%). Married mothers (AOR = 2.57; 95% CI: 1.68, 5.65), mothers with antenatal care follow-up (AOR = 4.11; 95% CI: 2.66, 11.17), mothers who delivered at a health institution (AOR = 4.07; 95% CI: 2.99, 10.72), and mothers counseled during antenatal care (AOR = 1.96; 95% CI: 1.12, 4.73) had a positive association, whereas mothers who were unable to read and write (AOR = 0.11; 95% CI: 0.06, 0.99) and employed mothers (AOR = 0.22; 95% CI: 0.16, 0.56) were the variables that had a negative association with exclusive breastfeeding practice. Conclusions Although the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding was good when compared with other studies, rigorous interventions are needed to achieve the WHO recommendation of all infants should exclusively be breastfed. Marital status, educational status, occupation, antenatal care service, place of birth, and counseling of mothers during ANC were factors associated with the exclusive breastfeeding practice.
Highlights
Breastfeeding is the practice of a woman feeding an infant and a young child [1]
A simple random sampling technique was used to select 423 mothers to participate in the study. e sample size in each district was allocated proportionally for the expected mothers whose child was less than 2 year of age. is is from the central statistical agency population projection of Ethiopia by the district level. e actual age of the infant was determined by asking the mothers and/or reviewing the birth certificate
The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding in this study was not satisfactory. is finding is comparable with the study in Addis Ababa (81%) [24], Ethiopian HSDP IV target level of 70% [25], and Debre Markos, Ethiopia, 60.8% [21]
Summary
Breastfeeding is the practice of a woman feeding an infant and a young child [1]. Breast milk has extreme products that a newborn needs [2].Breast milk contains all the essential nutrients that a healthy child needs [3]. e World Health Organization (WHO) infant-feeding guideline recommended that all infants should be breastfed within one hour of birth and exclusively breastfed until six months of life. Optimal feeding of infants and children means exclusive breastfeeding from birth to six months. Because of inadequate breastfeeding practice in combination with high levels of diseases, more than 10 million children under five years of age die each year. Of this figure, 41% occur in sub-Saharan Africa and 34% in the South Asia region [5]. Erefore, this study aimed to assess exclusive breastfeeding practice and normative beliefs among mothers who have children less than two years of age in Ethiopia, 2019. The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding was good when compared with other studies, rigorous interventions are needed to achieve the WHO recommendation of all infants should exclusively be breastfed. Educational status, occupation, antenatal care service, place of birth, and counseling of mothers during ANC were factors associated with the exclusive breastfeeding practice
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