Prelacteal Feeding Practice and Associated Factors among Mothers Attending Immunization Clinic in Harari Region Public Health Facilities, Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Breast feeding will have the intended outcome when it is initiated timely and exclusive for the first six months. Introducing prelacteal feeding and inadequate amount of breast milk contributes to over a million avoidable infant deaths each year in developing countries. The purpose of this study was to assess prelacteal feeding practice and associated factors among mothers attending immunization clinic in Harari region government health institutions. Methods: An institutional based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 634 mothers and infants dyads attending ten public health facilities. Systematic random sampling method was used to select the study participants. An exit interview using pretested structured questionnaire was conducted about their experience on prelacteal feeding and related experience. Logistic regressions with OR and 95% confidence interval were computed. Result: Two hundred seventy eight (45.4%) of mothers gave prelacteal liquids for their infants. The common pre-lacteal food includes sugar or glucose water 121 (43.5%) followed by milk other than breast milk 70 (25.1%). Home delivery, failure to attend ANC, late breastfeeding initiation and influence by friends were significantly associated with prelacteal feeding. Conclusion: The prevalence of prelacteal feeding was relatively high in the area. Failure to attend ANC, giving birth at home, late initiation of breast feeding and influence of friends and relatives to give prelacteal feeds for their new born infants were found to be positively associated with prelacteal feeding.

Determinants of prelacteal feeding practice among postpartum mothers in Debre Markos town, Amhara regional state, Ethiopia, 2016

“…5,6 The questionnaire was first prepared in English. Later, it was translated in to the local language Amharic and then back again to English.…”

“…For example, it was found that approximately 38.8% of women in Raya Kobo district and 45.4% of mothers in Harar gave prelacteal liquids to their infants. 5,6 The most common prelacteal foodstuffs are milk other than breast milk, plain water, sugar or glucose water, fresh butter, Ersho, salt water solution, fruit juice, infant formula, tea, and honey. 5,6 The most common reasons stated for PLF are insufficient milk production, advice from elders, family custom, assumption that it is good for health (child will talk early and tongue will become thin), to remove meconium from the gut of the child, and to prevent "evil eye" and illness.…”

“…5,6 The most common prelacteal foodstuffs are milk other than breast milk, plain water, sugar or glucose water, fresh butter, Ersho, salt water solution, fruit juice, infant formula, tea, and honey. 5,6 The most common reasons stated for PLF are insufficient milk production, advice from elders, family custom, assumption that it is good for health (child will talk early and tongue will become thin), to remove meconium from the gut of the child, and to prevent "evil eye" and illness. 5,7 The main risk factors associated with PLF practice include home delivery, lack of awareness of the risks associated with PLF, late initiation of breast-feeding, and influence by friends and relatives to give prelacteal feeds for their newborn.…”

“…5,7 The main risk factors associated with PLF practice include home delivery, lack of awareness of the risks associated with PLF, late initiation of breast-feeding, and influence by friends and relatives to give prelacteal feeds for their newborn. 5,6 There are limited studies conducted on this topic in Ethiopia. Even the studies conducted on this and related topics show inconsistencies among their findings.…”

“…Even the studies conducted on this and related topics show inconsistencies among their findings. 5,6,8,9 As a result, PLF is emerging as an additional factor to be targeted through educational research.…”