Prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding and associated factors among mothers in Surman City a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) means that the infant receives only breast milk for the first six months of life after birth. The objective was to assess the prevalence of EBF and associated factors among mothers having children aged 0–6 months in Surman city, Libya. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Surman city among 146 mothers of infants aged 0–6 months. Eligible mothers were identified and randomly selected using the demographic surveillance system’s computerized database that is updated weekly. A semi-structured questionnaire was used for interviews that inquired information on socio-demographic characteristics, obstetric, health service, breastfeeding related factors (initiation of breastfeeding, prelacteal feeding and colostrum feeding) and economic factors. EBF prevalence was calculated using 24-hour recall method. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify those factors associated with the Exclusive breastfeeding. Results: The prevalence of EBF in the last 24 hours preceding the survey was 44.5%. Significant evidence of an association was observed with type of delivery, assistance during delivery and fathers' education with (OR = 0.664, 95% CI 0.461, 0.957, p=0.027), (OR =0.593, 95% CI 0.422, 0.835, p=0.007) and (OR= 2.500, 95% CI 1.161,2.925 P= 0.041) respectively. Age, Mothers’ education, Initiation of breastfeeding, were found to be not associated with breastfeeding practices. Conclusion: The prevalence of EBF Surman city (44,5%) is lower than Global Nutrition Targets 2025, increase the rate of EBF in the first 6 months up to at least 50%. Most (66.4%) of the mothers reported that they had not received breastfeeding education during their last pregnancy and 94.5% percent of mothers had not antenatal care visits, (54.8%) were Caesarean deliveries These findings suggest that there is a need for breastfeeding support provided by health services. Hence, promotion of EBF during the first six months of life needs to be addressed and future breastfeeding promotion programs should give special attention to those women who are not practicing EBF