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

Type Journal Article - Science Journal of Clinical Medicine
Title 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
Author(s)
Volume 2
Issue 6
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2013
Page numbers 153-159
URL http://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sjcm.20130206.12.pdf
Abstract
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.

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