Factors influencing exclusive breastfeeding practice among under-six months infants in Ethiopia

Gizachew Gobebo Mekebo; Alemayehu Siffir Argawu; Habte Tadesse Likassa; Wondimu Ayele; Senahara Korsa Wake; Dechasa Bedada; Belema Hailu; Temesgen Senbeto; Ketema Bedane; Kebede Lulu; Sagni Daraje; Reta Lemesa; Gudeta Aga; Endale Alemayehu; Bizunesh Kefale; Terefa Bechera; Getachew Tadesse; Agassa Galdassa; Jiregna Olani; Geribe Hemba; Girma Teferi; Abebe Argaw; Tariku Irana; Tsigereda Tilahun; Gezahagn Diriba

doi:10.1186/s12884-022-04955-x

Factors influencing exclusive breastfeeding practice among under-six months infants in Ethiopia

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2022 Aug 8;22(1):630. doi: 10.1186/s12884-022-04955-x.

Authors

Gizachew Gobebo Mekebo¹, Alemayehu Siffir Argawu², Habte Tadesse Likassa³, Wondimu Ayele⁴, Senahara Korsa Wake², Dechasa Bedada², Belema Hailu², Temesgen Senbeto², Ketema Bedane², Kebede Lulu², Sagni Daraje², Reta Lemesa², Gudeta Aga², Endale Alemayehu², Bizunesh Kefale², Terefa Bechera², Getachew Tadesse², Agassa Galdassa², Jiregna Olani², Geribe Hemba², Girma Teferi⁵, Abebe Argaw², Tariku Irana², Tsigereda Tilahun², Gezahagn Diriba²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Statistics, Ambo University, Ambo, Ethiopia. [email protected].
² Department of Statistics, Ambo University, Ambo, Ethiopia.
³ Department of Statistics, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
⁴ Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
⁵ Department of Midwifery, Wolkite University, Wolkite, Ethiopia.

Abstract

Background: World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for the first 6 months of life. EBF has sustainable long-term health benefits for both infants and mothers. Despite its benefits, the practice of EBF in Ethiopia is lower than the internationally recommended one. This study aimed at identifying factors influencing EBF practice among under-6 month infants in Ethiopia.

Methods: This study used data drawn from the 2019 Ethiopian Mini Demographic and Health Survey (2019 EMDHS) data. A multivariable logistic regression model was employed to investigate factors significantly associated with EBF practice among under-6 month infants in Ethiopia. An adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was used to measure the association of factors with EBF practice.

Results: A total of 566 infants under the age of 6 months were included in the study. The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding practice was 83% (95% CI: 79.70-86%). Urban residences (AOR: 0.40, 95% CI: 0.22-0.73), mothers having secondary education (AOR: 1.54, 95% CI: 1.29-1.84) and higher education (AOR: 3.18, 95% CI: 0.68-15.02), mothers having ANC visits of 1 to 3 times (AOR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.24-1.88) and ANC visits of 4 and more times (AOR: 4.27, 95% CI: 1.06-17.25), family size of more than 5 (AOR: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.26-0.88), caesarean births (AOR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.42-0.95), and deliveries at health facilities (AOR: 2.51, 95% CI: 1.12-5.63) were factors significantly associated with EBF practice among under-6 month infants.

Conclusion: In this study, EBF practice among under-6 month infants was significantly associated with place of residence, maternal educational level, ANC visits, family size, mode of delivery, and place of delivery. Therefore, encouraging ANC visit and promotion of institutional (health facility) delivery are recommended. Furthermore, special attention has to be given to mothers with no or less education to make them better aware of the EBF and its benefits to enhance exclusive breastfeeding practice.

Keywords: Ethiopia; Exclusive breastfeeding practice; Factors influencing; Under-six month infants.

MeSH terms

Breast Feeding*
Ethiopia / epidemiology
Family Characteristics
Female
Humans
Infant
Mothers*
Pregnancy
Prevalence