Journal des soins de santé des femmes
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Exclusive Breastfeeding Practice and Its Associated Factors among Mothers with Infants Aged Less Than Six Months in Nono, Western Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Tesfaye Solomon1*, Gerba Fufa2, Teka Girma3

Background: Exclusive breastfeeding is the best and cost-effective intervention to prevent childhood morbidities and mortalities in developing countries. But there was no evidence in the study area regarding the practice of exclusive breastfeeding and its associated factors. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess exclusive breastfeeding practice and its associated factors in a rural district, the Western part of Ethiopia.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from August 15-30, 2020 among 565 mothers who have an infant less than six months in Nono District. Study participants were selected using random sampling. Data on infant breastfeeding practice were collected by trained interviewers by using a structured questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding. Statistical significance was declared at P < 0.05 at 95% confidence interval.

Results: A total of 565 participants were participated in this study, giving a 95.9% response rate. The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding practice was 70.8%. Age of Mothers (AOR=2.67, 95%CI=1.79, 4.60), attended antenatal care during the recent pregnancy (AOR=2.31, 95%CI=1.31,4.71), attended delivery in health facilities (AOR=1.34, 95%CI=1.21,2.11), having information about exclusive breastfeeding (AOR=2.34, 95%CI=1.13,4.76) and knowing the importance of exclusive breastfeeding (AOR=1.46, 95% CI=1.12, 3.73) were associated factors with exclusively breastfeeding.

Conclusions: The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding among infants less than six months in the Nono district was 70.8%. Factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding were the age of mothers, antenatal care service utilization, place of birth, mothers' information about breastfeeding, and knowledge of mothers about the importance of exclusive breastfeeding. Therefore, it is recommended that awareness should be continuously raised and pregnant women should be encouraged to attend health facilities for antenatal care and delivery by health service providers hence improving exclusive breastfeeding.