गर्भावस्था और बाल स्वास्थ्य जर्नल

अमूर्त

Predictors of Optimal Breastfeeding Practices Among Mothers Who Have Less Than 24 Months of Age Children in Misha District, Hadiya Zone, South Ethiopia

Mulatu Abageda, Tefera Belachew, Aletyework Mokonen and Belayneh Hamdela

Background: Inappropriate infant feeding practices and infectious disease constitute about 60% of the infant and young child death globally. About 2/3 of these deaths are attributable to sub-optimal breastfeeding practices. Even though breast feeding is accepted and praised behaviour, mothers do not always follow the recommendations on breast feeding in Ethiopia. Thus, this study aims to determine the optimal breastfeeding practices and associated factors among mothers of children age less than two years in Misha district, South Ethiopia.

Methods: Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Misha district using structured interviewer administered questionnaire. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS version 16.0. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with optimal breastfeeding practices.

Results: A high proportion 393 (62.7%) of mothers were breastfed their infants sub-optimally while only 234 (37.3%) mothers were breastfed their infants optimally. Wealth index, age of the child, receiving advice on breast feeding, pregnancy intention, place of residence and level of husband education were predictors of optimal breast feeding practices.

Conclusions: Below half (37.3%) of the mothers were breastfed their infants optimally. The place of residence, age of child, husband’s literacy, experience of breastfeeding advice, household wealth index and pregnancy intention were among the factors affecting optimal breastfeeding practices. Breast feeding promotion programs are needed for mothers, and should include health extension workers, local community’s health agents, health-care providers and maternity institutions.