Abstract
BackgroundExclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is the best nutrition for children during the first six months of life. However EBF remains a challenge. The aim of the study was to assess Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards EBF among breastfeeding mothers in Mizan Aman town, South West Ethiopia.MethodsA community based cross-sectional study was conducted among 350 mothers in Mizan Aman town, South West Ethiopia, in April 2015 using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire using ‘recall since birth’ method. Systematic random sampling was used to select the study participants and descriptive statistics were conducted.ResultsThree hundred and fourteen breastfeeding mothers with their index child less than 2 years were enrolled. Even though 93.6 % of study participants had heard about EBF, only 34.7 % were knowledgeable about the recommended duration. About 89.5 % had a positive attitude, but only 59.3 % believed that only EBF is enough for child up to six months and 26.4 % of children were exclusively breastfed for six months.ConclusionThe majority of mothers knew about EBF and had a positive attitude towards EBF but did not know the recommended duration or that EBF is sufficient for six months. We suggest improving access to information about recommended infant feeding guidelines and fulfilling the minimum enabling conditions.
Highlights
Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is the best nutrition for children during the first six months of life
Since there is a limited research in the study area, this study can be used as a benchmark for further studies. This community based cross-sectional descriptive study using ‘recall since birth’ method was conducted in April 2015, to assess Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards exclusive breastfeeding among lactating mothers in Mizan Aman Town,South West Ethiopia
Attitude of respondents towards EBF We found that more mothers (n = 281; 89.5 %) said they preferred to feed their children only breast milk than the number who were aware of the recommendation to exclusively breastfed for six months (n = 109; 34.7 %)
Summary
Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is the best nutrition for children during the first six months of life. Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is defined as “an infant’s consumption of human milk with no supplementation of any type (no water, no juice, no nonhuman milk, and no foods) except for vitamins, minerals, and medications until six months” [1]. EBF for six months is important for both infant and maternal health. Infants who are not exclusively breastfeeding are more likely to develop gastrointestinal infections, in developing and in industrialized countries. Infant and young child feeding practices directly affect the nutritional status of children under two years of age and, impact child survival. More than nine million children under five years of age die each year [4]. One in every 17 Ethiopian children die before the first birthday and one in every 11 children dies before their fifth birthday [5]
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