Prevalence and Determinants of Timely Initiation of Breastfeeding Among Mothers in Sodo Zuriya District, South Ethiopia: A Cross-sectional Study

Desta Mota Kuma,Abebe Sorsa Badacho,Melese Meleku Kurucho

doi:10.11648/j.ajlm.20200503.11

Abstract

Timely initiation of breastfeeding tops the list of life-saving interventions for newborn health. Even though most mothers in Ethiopia breastfeed their babies, they do not always follow the recommendations of the "National Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding". A community-based cross-sectional study with internal comparisons was conducted between July and August 2019. A total of 444 mother-infant pairs were selected using simple random sampling. Descriptive statistics and bivariate and multivariable logistic regression were employed to identify predictors of timely initiation of breastfeeding. The prevalence of timely initiation of breastfeeding was 53.4%. Institutional delivery (AOR=3.0; 95% CI 1.47, 6.13), advice/counseling during antenatal visits (AOR=3.52; 95% CI 1.81, 6.83) and postnatal counseling/advice (AOR=2.96; 95% CI 1.59, 5.5) were found to be positively associated with timely initiation of breastfeeding (p<0.05). <i>Conclusions and Recommendations:</i> The prevalence of timely initiation of breastfeeding was low. Several characteristics affect timely initiation of breastfeeding. Educational programs in health institutions and at the community level are recommended to correct traditional inappropriate breastfeeding practices and beliefs and to provide training to health professionals to promote appropriate and timely counseling during the antenatal and postnatal periods.

Highlights

Initiation of breastfeeding is defined as putting the newborn to the breast within one hour of birth
Initiation of breastfeeding is easy and cost effective, it tops the table of life-saving interventions for the health of the newborn [1, 2]
This study revealed that all respondents practiced breastfeeding for their current child, similar to a study from Ghana [15], Cameroon, and the Goba district, South East Ethiopia

Summary

Introduction

Initiation of breastfeeding is defined as putting the newborn to the breast within one hour of birth. Initiation of breastfeeding is easy and cost effective, it tops the table of life-saving interventions for the health of the newborn [1, 2]. Breast milk protects infants from infectious and chronic diseases [3, 4]. The World Health Organization (WHO) has described breastfeeding as unequalled in terms of providing ideal food for the survival, healthy growth, and development of infants and young children. It is an integral part of the reproductive process, with important implications for the health of mothers. Colostrum is three times richer in vitamin A and ten times richer in beta-carotene than mature milk and, due to its high levels of vitamin A, antibodies, and other protective factors, colostrum is often considered the baby’s first immunization

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Discussion

Conclusion