Abdiasis Jama1, Hailay Gebreyesus2, Tewolde Wubayehu3, Tsigehana Gebregyorgis1, Mebrahtu Teweldemedhin4, Tesfay Berhe1, Negasi Berhe1. 1. Department of Public Health, College of Health Science, Aksum University, Aksum, Ethiopia. 2. Department of Public Health, College of Health Science, Aksum University, Aksum, Ethiopia. ghailay2015@gmail.com. 3. School of Medicine, College of Health Science, Aksum University, Aksum, Ethiopia. 4. Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Science, Aksum University, Aksum, Ethiopia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Adequate nutrition during early childhood ensures growth and development of children and breast milk is better than any other products given to a child. However, studies on exclusive breastfeeding practice are limited in Somaliland. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life and its associated factors among children 6-24 months of age in Burao district, Somaliland. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 26 August to 10 October 2018, in Burao district among randomly, selected 464 mothers with children 6-24 months of age. Data were collected through face-to-face interview using pretested structured questionnaire. RESULTS: The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding was 20.47% (95% CI 18.84, 23.63%). Exclusive breastfeeding practice was associated with: having female child (AOR 0.48; 95% CI 0.29, 0.80)), lack of formal education (AOR 0.32; 95% CI 0.19, 0.53), household monthly income 100$-200$ (AOR 0.35;95% CI 0.18, 0.68), lack of husband's support (AOR 0.32; 95% CI 0.19, 0.53), and mothers who were not counselled on breastfeeding during antenatal care (AOR = 0.33; 95% CI 0.16, 0.66). CONCLUSIONS: Exclusive breastfeeding practice was very low as compared to recommendations of infant and young child practice (IYCF) which recommends children to exclusively breastfeed for the first 6 months of life. Exclusive breastfeeding practice was associated with a mother's lack of formal education, monthly income less than 100$, being a female child, lack of advice on exclusive breastfeeding during antenatal care and lack of husband support. The promotion of education for women, husband's engagement, encouraging antenatal care follow-up and counseling of exclusive breastfeeding during antenatal care was recommended to improve exclusive breastfeeding practice.
BACKGROUND: Adequate nutrition during early childhood ensures growth and development of children and breast milk is better than any other products given to a child. However, studies on exclusive breastfeeding practice are limited in Somaliland. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life and its associated factors among children 6-24 months of age in Burao district, Somaliland. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 26 August to 10 October 2018, in Burao district among randomly, selected 464 mothers with children 6-24 months of age. Data were collected through face-to-face interview using pretested structured questionnaire. RESULTS: The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding was 20.47% (95% CI 18.84, 23.63%). Exclusive breastfeeding practice was associated with: having female child (AOR 0.48; 95% CI 0.29, 0.80)), lack of formal education (AOR 0.32; 95% CI 0.19, 0.53), household monthly income 100$-200$ (AOR 0.35;95% CI 0.18, 0.68), lack of husband's support (AOR 0.32; 95% CI 0.19, 0.53), and mothers who were not counselled on breastfeeding during antenatal care (AOR = 0.33; 95% CI 0.16, 0.66). CONCLUSIONS: Exclusive breastfeeding practice was very low as compared to recommendations of infant and young child practice (IYCF) which recommends children to exclusively breastfeed for the first 6 months of life. Exclusive breastfeeding practice was associated with a mother's lack of formal education, monthly income less than 100$, being a female child, lack of advice on exclusive breastfeeding during antenatal care and lack of husband support. The promotion of education for women, husband's engagement, encouraging antenatal care follow-up and counseling of exclusive breastfeeding during antenatal care was recommended to improve exclusive breastfeeding practice.
Entities:
Keywords:
Children age 6–24 Burao; Exclusive breastfeeding practice; Somaliland
Authors: Elena Sinkiewicz-Darol; Urszula Bernatowicz-Łojko; Katarzyna Łubiech; Iwona Adamczyk; Magdalena Twarużek; Barbara Baranowska; Krzysztof Skowron; Diane L Spatz Journal: Nutrients Date: 2021-01-19 Impact factor: 5.717