Ineffective breastfeeding techniques and associated factors among breastfeeding mothers who gave birth in the last 6 months in Sinan Woreda, Northwest Ethiopia.

Abstract

Optimal infant feeding is critical for children's growth and development during their first years of life. Plenty of evidence on ineffective breastfeeding techniques, yet the problem is still deep-rooted and requires further research in Ethiopia. To determine the proportion of ineffective breastfeeding techniques and associated factors among breastfeeding mothers who gave birth in the last 6 months in Sinan Woreda. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 10 to April 8, 2021 with a total of 389 samples. A computer-generated simple random sampling was used to select mothers. An observational checklist and interviewer-administered questionnaires were used. EpiData 4.2 for data entry and SPSS 25 for cleaning and analysis were used. Variables with a p-value < 0.05 and 95% confidence interval (CI) corresponding adjusted odds ratio (AOR) were used to identify factors of ineffective breastfeeding techniques. The proportion of ineffective breastfeeding techniques was 66.8%. The mean (SD) age of mothers was 29.4 ± 5.95 years. No formal education [AOR: 5.88 (95% CI: (2.97, 11.65)], primipara [AOR: 4.34 (95% CI: 2.25, 8.36)], home delivery [AOR: 3.02 (95% CI: 1.12, 8.14)], not received breastfeeding counseling during antenatal care [AOR: 4.94 (95% CI: 1.83, 13.36)], breast problem [AOR: 2.62 (95% CI: 1.25, 5.48)], and breastfeeding experience [AOR: 1.82 (95% CI: 1.01, 3.28)] were statistically significant factors. The proportion of ineffective breastfeeding techniques 66.8% was unacceptable. Socio-demographic and maternal health care services were identified factors. Strengthening maternal care, improving health education and promotions, and designing appropriate strategies were required.