Background: Exclusive breast feeding (EBF) has been defined by world health organization (WHO) as the
situation where ‘the infant has received only breast milk from his/her mother or a wet nurse until six months old’. The
low prevalence of exclusive breast feeding (EBF) in most developing countries is attributed to various maternal and
child factors. Identifying factors associated with low exclusive breastfeeding practices in different contexts is important
to take appropriate measures to avoid or reduce determinant factors and assumed to facilitate better advocacy and
wider coverage in the Country.
Objective: To assess the determinants of exclusive breastfeeding practices among mothers of children under two
years old in Dilla zuria district, Gedeo Zone, SNNPR, Ethiopia, 2014.
Methods: Cross-sectional community based study was conducted from June to August 2014 at two randomly
selected wards in Dilla zuria district, Gedeo Zone, SNNPR, Ethiopia. Quantitative data was gathered from 347 mothers
and supplemented by qualitative data from 8 key informants. Binary logistic regression analysis was made to obtain
odds ratio and the confidence interval of statistical associations.
Result: 57.6 % of respondents practiced exclusive breasted feeding for 6 months. Predictors of exclusive
breastfeeding were antenatal care utilization, maternal age, parity and family size. Antenatal care utilization was
positively associated with exclusive breast feeding whereas maternal age, parity and family size were inversely
associated with exclusive breast feeding.
Conclusion: Exclusive breast feeding practice was not satisfactory. Antenatal counseling for breastfeeding was
associated with better exclusive breastfeeding practice. Therefore, we suggest strengthening the nutrition counseling
during antenatal visit. Birth order and family size were inversely associated with EBF practices. Large family size and
high parity are factors that reduce duration of exclusive breast feeding practice. There should be strong work to enable
family to maintain appropriate space between consecutive births and limit family size.