Infant Feeding Practice And Associated Factors Among Breast Feeding Mothers In Udessa District, South Ethiopia

Abstract

Background Malnutrition has a profound effect on a child’s growth and development, as it can lead to permanent stunting, impaired brain, predisposing the child to obesity later in life. In Africa, malnutrition contributes to half of the 9.7 million annuals under five deaths and is a leading cause of diseases and disabilities in children. Therefore, the study was to assess infant and young child feeding practice and associated with factors to identify problem and to recommend solutions for problems. Objective: To assess the practice and factors associated with infant and young child feeding among mothers of children aged 0-23 month in udassa washe weyira kebele, south Ethiopia,2020. Methodology: This community based cross-sectional study conducted on 214 participants from June 15– July 15/2020. All eligible children included in the study. Spas version 22 software used for data entry and for analysis. The association between variables was analyzed with bivariate and multi variable logistic regression. Hosmar and Lemeshow test was used for model adequacy. A statistical significance was declared at p value < 0.05, with 95% confidence interval. Results: A total 214out of 217 mothers or caregivers of children less than 23 months were included in the study yielding response rate of 98.6%. Optimal infant and young child feeding practice was 10.3%.After adjusting for the possible confounders, maternal higher education [AOR= 0.40; 95%CI(.21-.72)], having ante natal care [AOR =1.46, 95% CI (1.12-3.48)], place of delivery in health facility [AOR =2.70, 95% CI (1.50-5.81)]and having post-natal care [AOR=2.79, 95%CI (1.33-8.14)]were significantly associated at P < 0.05 with optimal infant and young child feeding practices. Conclusion: Education, ante natal care, place of delivery and post-natal care were found to be significant predictors for optimal infant and young child feeding practice. Scaling up educational status, antenatal care, institutional delivery and post-natal care were warranted.