Factors associated with prelacteal feeding in North Eastern Ethiopia: A community based cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundIn spite of the negative impact of prelacteal feeding on the growth and development of children, it is widely practiced in Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess prelacteal feeding practices and associated factors among mothers of children aged less than 24 months in the North Wello zone.MethodsA quantitative community based cross-sectional study was employed during March 2015. Eight hundred and forty four (844) mother-child pairs were selected by multi-stage sampling technique. Data were collected by face-to-face interview. Descriptive statistics, binary and multiple logistic regression analyses were employed to identify factors associated with prelacteal feeding practice. Variables with a p-value <0.05 were identified as statistically significant factors.ResultsThe prevalence of prelacteal feeding was 11.1 % (95 % confidence interval [CI]: 9.0, 13.0). Colostrum discarding (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 8.7; 95 % CI (3.8, 20.1)) and lack of counseling about breastfeeding (AOR: 2.6; 95 % CI 1.27, 5.4) were the factors associated with prelacteal feeding. The major reasons stated for providing prelacteal feeds were “culture” and “do not have enough milk”.ConclusionPrelacteal feeds are offered to nearly one child in every ten in the North Wello zone. Colostrum removal and lack of counseling on breastfeeding at antenatal care visit are important positive predictors of prelacteal feeding practice. Awareness of the risks associated with prelacteal feeding, promotion of counseling on breastfeeding and the health benefit of colostrum during antenatal care visits are recommended interventions to reduce prelacteal feeding practices in the study areas.

Infant feeding counseling and knowledge are the key determinants of prelacteal feeding among HIV exposed infants attending public hospitals in Ethiopia

“…Consistent with previous studies [2, 29, 31, 32], the odds of prelacteal feeding among mothers who had antenatal care visits and counseling on breastfeeding were lower compared with their counterparts. This might be due to the fact that behavioral change communication strategies, such as individual and group counseling, increase appropriate and optimal breastfeeding practices.…”

“…This finding is supported by other findings reported in northeast Ethiopia [2], and Bangladesh [54]. This might be due to maternal misperception of the benefits of breastfeeding, especially mothers’ negative attitude on the benefits of the colostrum [41]; breast problems after delivery might also lead to prelacteal feeding.…”

“…Various reports indicated that prelacteal feeding was affected by various factors, but was mainly associated with maternal and health service related characteristics. Lack of education [24], poor household wealth status [24], maternal age, lack of counseling on breastfeeding [29, 31, 32], poor infant breastfeeding knowledge [33, 34], inadequate antenatal care visit [24, 35], and discarding colostrum [2] were some of the factors significantly associated with prelacteal feeding.…”

“…About 27.1% of the mothers offered prelacteal feeds in Ethiopia. Though there are regional variations in prelacteal feeding practices which ranged from 10.4–72.5% [2, 36, 38–41], the highest rates were reported in Somali (72.5%) and Amhara (47.8%), regions [36]. Despite the fact that prelacteal feeding has a negative effect on child health, little is known about its magnitude among HIV positive mothers.…”

Comprehensive evaluation of the risk of lactational mastitis in Chinese women: combined logistic regression analysis with receiver operating characteristic curve

“…According to epidemiologic studies, breastfeeding has been proven to have more short-and long-term benefits, which is highly associated with reduced risk of acute otitis media, nonspecific gastroenteritis, severe lower respiratory tract infections, childhood leukemia, and sudden infant death syndrome for babies [18,19] and Type 2 diabetes, breast and ovarian cancers for mothers [18,20]. In spite of proven profits and repeated emphasis, only 42% women begin breastfeeding within an hour of birth [21], and the rate of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) among children less than 6 months of age is only 36% globally [22,23]. WHO Member States have agreed six Global Targets, of which one target is to increase the rate of EBF in the first 6 months to at least 50% by 2025 [24].…”