Socio-economic and demographic correlates of exclusie breastfeeding among women in Kirkos subcity of Addis Ababa

Type Thesis or Dissertation
Title Socio-economic and demographic correlates of exclusie breastfeeding among women in Kirkos subcity of Addis Ababa
Author(s)
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2011
Abstract
The practice of Exclusive Breastfeeding is a vital source of healthy growth to infants and has a protective effect against mortality and morbidity. Exclusive Breastfeeding is defined as the practice of feeding a baby only of breast milk up to age 6 months without introducing complementary foods. However, different studies have proven that the subject is hardly understood by mothers and the general public. According to the available estimates at global, Africa and national (Ethiopia) levels, exclusive breastfeeding is practiced by nearly one-third of mothers. The main objective of the study is to investigate the demographic and socio-economic factors that are influential to the exercise of EBFP, in the study area, Kirkos Sub-city in April, 2011. The study is a cross sectional and simple random sampling method/technique to arrive at 334 eligible pregnant respondents – both from government and private health institutions. In addition to the face to face interview, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were undertaken. Based on the results obtained, about 39% of the respondents do exercise EBF in the study area. Nonetheless, the concept of exclusive breastfeeding is found to be less understood by the respondents and an introduction of supplementary foods or at least water begins at early ages due to the cultural belief that children are thirsty, for the salty nature of breast milk and hungry for the disproportional demand of food to their growth after two or three months. Lots of factors are seemingly determinants to the exclusive breastfeeding. However, this study has concluded that attitude, income and education of mothers are found to have significant association with the practice of EBF than other factors. Upon conclusion, the study has forwarded recommendation to stakeholders such as Ministry of Health including professional gynecologists, doctors, nurses, … to be able to make the mothers aware of the unutilized opportunity of Exclusive Breastfeeding practice for themselves and their infants. By the same taken ministry of labour and social affairs in consultation with ministry of health could facilitate to give breastfeeding mothers a reasonable payment without work or reduction of working hours during the first six months of the babies age.

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