Predictors of non-exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months among rural mothers in east Ethiopia: a community-based analytical cross-sectional study.

Gudina Egata,Yemane Berhane,Alemayehu Worku

doi:10.1186/1746-4358-8-8

Abstract

BackgroundExclusive breastfeeding in infants aged under six months is a simple and cost-effective feeding method that ensures better infant and child survival and boosts the achievement of child related Millennium Development Goals in the developing world. Identifying factors associated with good breastfeeding practice helps to increase its coverage and maximize its advantages through improved advocacy. The objective of this study was to identify the predictors of non-exclusive breastfeeding in the rural areas of eastern Ethiopia.MethodsA community-based analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on mother/caregiver–child pairs in east Ethiopia from July to August 2011. Data on infant feeding practices were collected by trained interviewers who used a pretested and structured questionnaire. Odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was estimated for the predictors of non-exclusive breastfeeding using the multivariable logistic regression.ResultsThe prevalence of non-exclusive breastfeeding in infants aged under six months, was 28.3%. Non-exclusive breastfeeding was more likely to be practiced by mothers who were not married at the moment [AOR (95% CI) = 2.6 (1.1, 6.0)], mothers who had no access to health facility [AOR (95% CI) = 2.9 (1.9, 4.3)], and mothers whose knowledge about infant and young child feeding practices was low [AOR (95% CI) = 3.4 (2.4, 4.7)].ConclusionNon–exclusive breastfeeding was more common among mothers with no marital relationships, poor access to health facilities, and inadequate knowledge about infant and young child feeding practices. Family support, education, and behavior change communication on infant feeding, especially on exclusive breastfeeding, at the community level may improve the knowledge, behavior, and practice of mothers on optimal infant and young child feeding practices.

Highlights

Exclusive breastfeeding in infants aged under six months is a simple and cost-effective feeding method that ensures better infant and child survival and boosts the achievement of child related Millennium Development Goals in the developing world
Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) in infants aged under six months is one of the optimal infant and young child feeding practices
The bivariate analysis revealed that maternal illiteracy [Crude Odds Ratio (COR) = 1.6 (1.0, 2.5)], being currently unmarried [COR = 2.4 (1.1, 5.3)], low [COR = 1.6 (1.001, 2.7)], and highest [COR = 1.7 (1.1, 2.8)] household socio-economic positions, household food security status [COR =1.6 (1.2, 2.1)], less maternal access to health facility [COR = 3.6 (2.5, 5.1)], low maternal knowledge about Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices (IYCF) practice [COR = 4.0 (2.9, 5.5)], and discarding colostrum [COR = 1.8 (1.08, 2.9)] were significantly associated with non-exclusive breastfeeding in infants aged under six months (p < 0.05) (Table 3)

Summary

Introduction

Exclusive breastfeeding in infants aged under six months is a simple and cost-effective feeding method that ensures better infant and child survival and boosts the achievement of child related Millennium Development Goals in the developing world. Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) in infants aged under six months is one of the optimal infant and young child feeding practices. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), EBF is feeding infants (0 –5 months of age) exclusively with breast milk (including milk expressed or from a wet nurse). Such children, WHO argues, may take only Oral Rehydration Salt (ORS), drops, and syrups (vitamins, minerals, medicines) in addition to their mothers’ milk [1]. In Ethiopia, for instance, only half of the children are exclusively breastfed, with a median duration of 2.3 months and a mean duration of 4.2 months [12,21,22]

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