Determinants Of Exclusive Breastfeeding Practices Research Articles

Determinants of exclusive breastfeeding practice to infants aged less than six months in Offa district, Southern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study.

BackgroundWorld Health Organization (WHO) recommends timely initiation of breastfeeding after birth and only feeding breast milk to infants during the first 6 months of life. It was estimated that exclusive breastfeeding can reduce infant deaths by 13%. The practice of exclusive breastfeeding is suboptimal in many parts of Ethiopia to a varied extent. Factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding practice and the proportion of its practice was not well documented in Offa district. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess the determinants of exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months of life in Offa district, Southern Ethiopia.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was carried out in 396 mothers of infants younger than 6 months using random sampling. Data were collected from mothers of the infants by trained interviewers. Exclusive breastfeeding was measured by the history of infant feeding in the prior 24 h. Pretested and structured questionnaires adopted from standard questionnaires and Ethiopia linkages modules were used. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors significantly influencing exclusive breastfeeding practice.ResultsBased on findings of this study of 396 participants, the proportion of exclusive breastfeeding was 78.0% and awareness of exclusive breastfeeding and bottle feeding were 85.6 and 6.1% respectively. About 6% of infants were given prelacteal feeds. The number of infants fed cow milk was 12.9%, formula 7.8%, water 8.5%, fruits and semisolids 1.5%, over 24 h prior to the survey. The initiation of breastfeeding within one h (AOR 2.2; 95% CI 1.1, 4.27), attending formal education (AOR 4; 95% CI 2.20, 7.25), having an awareness on the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding (AOR 6; 95% CI 3.10, 11.70) and knowledge of colostrum feeding (AOR 2.1; 95% CI 1.11, 4.27) had a statistically significant association with exclusive breastfeeding in the study area.ConclusionsThe practice of exclusive breastfeeding as well as awareness was worthy in Offa district. Additionally the proportion of bottle feeding use was small. However, feeding other than breast milk was associated with the perception that breast milk alone was insufficient for their child. Strategies on promoting exclusive breastfeeding practice must focus on strengthening women’s education and awareness creation activities further.

Determinants of exclusive breastfeeding practices among mothers in azezo district, northwest Ethiopia.

BackgroundExclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is a very important, long lasting and cost effective intervention to help reduce the morbidity and mortality of infants. However, a large proportion of infants are not exclusively breastfed as recommended by the World Health Organization. The study aim was to assess the exclusive breastfeeding practices and identify determinants among mothers in Azezo District, Ethiopia.MethodsA community based cross-sectional study was conducted among 346 mothers with infants aged between 0–6 months. Data were collected using a pretested, interviewer administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were used to describe the study objectives and identify the determinants of EBF in the previous 24 h. Associations between the study and outcome variables were described using odds ratios and 95 % confidence intervals (CI).ResultsAny breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding in the previous 24 h were 99 and 79 %, respectively. The mean number of exclusive breastfeeds in the 24 h period was 6.5. Exclusive breastfeeding rates were highest among mothers aged ≥ 30 years (Adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.75; 95 % CI 1.14, 3.42). Infants whose mothers were unemployed were more likely to be exclusively breastfed than infants whose mothers were employed (AOR 1.62; 95 % CI 1.03, 2.95). Mothers earning ≤ 1000 birr (US $47.62) monthly were 77 % less likely to practice EBF (AOR 0.23; 95 % CI 0.13, 0.44). Mothers who delivered at the healthcare facility practised more exclusive breastfeeding than those who delivered at home (AOR 2.18; 95 % CI 1.22, 4.35). Mothers who received antenatal and postnatal care had better rates of EBF (AOR 2.24; 95 % CI 1.18, 5.76 and AOR 1.62; 95 % CI 1.09, 3.21) and mothers not practicing prelacteal feeding were more likely to exclusively breastfeed compared with mothers practicing prelacteal feeding (AOR 2.16; 95 % CI 1.16, 4.06).ConclusionsAny breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding rates in the previous 24 h are relatively high in the study area compared with previous studies. Maternal factors (age, education, income, employment, antenatal care, prelacteal feeding), infants’ age, delivery place and information access were independent predictors to EBF in previous 24 h. Improving the mother’s knowledge, income, information access, nutritional counselling, quality of antenatal and postnatal care service, place of delivery and avoiding prelacteal feeding practices are important to improving the exclusive breastfeeding rate in the previous 24 h.

Knowledge, attitudes and determinants of exclusive breastfeeding practice among Ghanaian rural lactating mothers.

BackgroundThe practice of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is influenced by maternal knowledge and attitudes as well as socio-demographic and cultural factors. This study assessed knowledge, attitudes and practice of EBF among rural lactating mothers with infants aged 0–6 months. Factors associated to the practice of EBF were also investigated.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted among 190 rural lactating mothers with infants aged 0–6 months seeking postnatal care at a health centre in Ghana. All data was collected using a questionnaire that contained both closed and open ended questions.ResultsAbout 26 % (n = 50) of the mothers were unable to correctly define EBF. The majority (92.6 %, n = 176) of the mothers said they felt good to EBF for 6 months, to breastfed on demand (99.5 %, n = 189) and did not have difficulties EBF (90 %, n = 171). Despite the generally positive attitude towards EBF, 42 % (n = 79) of the mothers did not EBF their babies. These mothers did not practice EBF because they misunderstood certain signs of the child to mean wanting to eat food or drink water, regarded breastmilk to be inadequate to meet the nutritional needs of the child and misunderstood healthcare professionals’ EBF advice. Higher maternal education was associated with higher likelihood of EBF (OR 3.5; 95 % CI 1.6, 7.7; p = 0.002). Mothers whose babies were younger than 3 months were more likely to EBF (OR 12.0; 95 % CI 4.4, 32.5; p < 0.001) than those having babies aged ≥ 3 months. Furthermore, higher knowledge of EBF was associated with the likelihood of EBF (OR 5.9; 95 % CI 2.6, 13.3; p < 0.001).ConclusionMothers’ knowledge and attitudes towards EBF were favourable but practice of EBF was suboptimal. This study adds additional evidence that knowledge of EBF, child’s age and maternal level of education are important determinants of the practice of EBF. Beyond dissemination of health messages, healthcare professionals should pay more counselling attention to less educated mothers, and also older children’s caregivers.

Prevalence and determinant factors of exclusive breastfeeding practices among mothers in Enderta woreda, Tigray, North Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study.

BackgroundIn Ethiopia national breastfeeding practice is poor because of traditional and cultural beliefs, low educational levels, heavy workload of mothers, poor sanitary conditions, type of assistance at delivery, duration of stay at home, ethnicity, poor maternal knowledge, age, parity, antenatal service utilization and place of delivery. This study is aimed to assess the prevalence and determinants of exclusive breastfeeding practice in mothers in Enderta woreda (district), Ethiopia.MethodsA community based cross-sectional study with multistage sampling method was used to select 541 mothers with children less than 24 months of age in Enderta woreda. Data was collected by administered structured questionnaire. Bivariate and Multivariable logistic regression was used to check the associations and controlling confounding variables.ResultA total of 530 mothers were included with a response rate 98%. The mean (± SD) age of the mothers was 26.9 (± 5.98) years. Majority of the mothers (70.2%) were practiced exclusive breastfeeding. Age of the mother (AOR 0.12; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.97), age of the child (AOR 0.52 95% CI: 0.27, 0.99) and postnatal care (AOR; 2.68; 95% CI: 1.44, 4.98) were found statistically significant with exclusive breastfeeding.ConclusionThe prevalence rate of exclusive breastfeeding was high in Enderta woreda. The age of the mother, age of the child and receiving postnatal care were the determinant factors for exclusive breastfeeding in the study area.

Determinants of Exclusive Breastfeeding Practice among Mothers of Children Age Less Than 6 Month in Bahir Dar City Administration, Northwest Ethiopia; A Community Based Cross-Sectional Survey

Background- Exclusive breastfeeding is the optimal feeding practice to achieve infants’ growth and development. Most mothers breastfeed their children but malnutrition is still prevalent in Ethiopia. Factors affecting exclusive breastfeeding practice are less known in the study area. Therefore the study aimed to assess its determinants among mother of children age less than 6 months in Bahir Dar city administration, Ethiopia. Method: Community based cross sectional survey was conducted from Jan to Feb 2013. In Bahir Dar city administration there were a total 20 (12 Urban & 8 Rural) Kebles, of which 6 (4 Urban & 2 Rural) were selected randomly using lottery method. The registration of mothers who had a child age less than 6 months by the local HEW was used as a sampling frame. Data was collected using interviewer administered questionnaire and was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 16. Logistic regression was used to identify determinants. P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 159 mothers were interviewed (93.5% response rate). Respondent’s mean age was 27.2±4.6 years, 2/3rd of respondents were housewives by occupation, and more than 90% of participants were urban residents and were married. Prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding was 49.1%. Mother education level (AOR=2.99), child sex (AOR=2.22), Parity (AOR=2.46), family size (AOR=2.92), and time of postnatal care (AOR=3.44) were independent predictors of exclusive breastfeeding practice in the study area. Conclusion & recommendation: Practice of exclusive breastfeeding was below the WHO recommendation and the target of the fifth Ethiopian Health Sector Development program. Mother education, child sex, parity, family size, and time of postnatal care were the independent predictors of exclusive breast feeding practice. The city administration should work on promoting exclusive breastfeeding practice giving special emphasis to educated mothers. The government should also consider revising the legislation of the two month postpartum maternity leave.

Determinants of exclusive breastfeeding practices in Ethiopia

Background: Despite the demonstrated benefits of breast milk, the prevalence of breastfeeding, in-particular exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), in many developing countries including Ethiopia is lower than the international recommendation of EBF for the first six months of life Objective: To assess the practice of EBF and explore its determinants in Ethiopia and provide policy makers and NGOs with relevant information for future planning and interventions. Methods: Raw data collected from nine regions and two city administrations using stratified cluster sampling method by the Ethiopian Demographic Health Survey (EDHS) 2005 were used to study the practice and determinants of EBF countrywide. Analysis was based on children whose age was less than six months and alive at the time of interview that was extracted from the women’s database. Results: The overall rates of exclusive and full breastfeeding were 49.0% and 68.2% respectively. Maternal education, marital status, wealth index and age of the child were closely associated with EBF practices, nonetheless, in the hierarchical analysis; being not married, middle/ richer/ richest wealth index, and child age 0-1and 2-3 month were retained as the predictors of EBF (P Conclusion: A range of maternal and child health attributes such as marital status, economical status and child age were found to influence the practice of EBF in Ethiopia. Actions to empower women and promotion of EBF campaign are recommended to achieve the fourth millennium development goal.