Prevalence and associated factors of prelacteal feeding among neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care units, North central Ethiopia, 2019

Abstract

Background Prelacteal feeding compromises the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding, thereby increasing neonatal malnutrition, infection and mortality. About 26% of the Ethiopian neonates are given prelacteal feeds and nearly 48% of whom are attributed to Amhara region. Besides, prior Ethiopian studies have shown significance of the problem at different community settings in the country. However, the prevalence and associated factors of prelacteal feeding among neonatal admissions has been overlooked in the country in general and in the study area in particular. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of prelacteal feeding among neonatal admissions in the study setting. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 321 mother-neonate pairs admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Debre Tabor General Hospital between September 2018 and February 2019. Every fourth mother neonate pair was included to the study. Multivariable logistic regressions were fitted to find out adjusted odds ratios (AORs) of factors associated with pre-lacteal feeding. Results The prevalence of prelacteal feeding was 20.2% [95% CI: 15.31–26.75%]. Plain water was the most common prelacteal food (32.3%). Factors associated with prelacteal feeding include rural residence (AOR = 4.07, 95% CI: 1.30, 12.81), primiparity (AOR = 4.50, 95% CI: 1.30–12.81), less than four ANC visits (AOR = 4.71, 95% CI: 1.23–17.84), spousal accompany to ANC (AOR = 0.20, 95% CI: 0.05–0.75), home delivery (AOR = 5.94, 95% CI: 1.80–19.67), having twin newborns (AOR = 6.69, 95% CI: 1.25, 35.91) and maternal belief on the purported advantages of prelacteal feeding (AOR = 2.74, 95% CI: 2.09–25.39). Conclusion and recommendation One out of five sick neonates was given prelacteal feeds. Twin neonates, home delivered neonates, rural neonates, neonates born to primiparous mothers, neonates delivered from mothers who had less than four ANC visits, neonates born to mothers who weren’t accompanied by their spouse during ANC and those born to mothers who believe on the purported advantages of prelacteal feeding had higher odds of receiving prelacteal feeds. Therefore, mothers of these vulnerable neonates should be provided with more emphasis about counseling of infant and young child feeding practice during their stay at NICU.

Pooled Prevalence and Determinants of Prelacteal Feeding Practice in Eastern Africa Evidence from Demographic and Health Survey Data: A Multilevel Study

“…6 In this study, delayed initiation of ANC visits was more likely to practice prelacteal feeding in Eastern Africa in line with other studies. 30,50,53,55 Hence, the mothers who attend ANC visit at the third trimester are more likely to provide prelacteal feeding to their newborn, since those mothers who have delayed ANC visit may come to health facility for the purpose of taking treatments and most of pregnant mothers attend ANC visit after the onset of complications, due to this, mothers less likely to receive different nutritional and other health-related educations from health professionals.…”

Determinants of pre-lacteal feeding practices among mothers having children aged less than 36 months in Ethiopia: Evidence from 2016 Ethiopian demographic and health survey

“…1,5,18 Many studies documented that maternal age, place of residence, parity, antenatal care, wealth index regions, occupation, educational status, sex of child, place of delivery, and poor feeding knowledge associated with pre-lacteal feeding practices. [8][9][10][11]13,17,[19][20][21][22] In addition, mode of delivery, counseling on breast feeding, late initiation of breastfeeding, and colostrum avoidance 8,9,11,13,17,21,22 were found to be factors associated with pre-lacteal feeding.…”

“…3,6 In Ethiopia, its prevalence ranges from 6.1% to 75.8%. [8][9][10][11][12][13] Pre-lacteal feeds are of any solid, semisolid, or liquid food other than breast milk given to newborns before breast feeding is established or within 3 days after delivery. 14 The commonest pre-lacteals given by Ethiopian women are butter, plain water, cow milk, sugar with water, and formula milk.…”

“… 14 The commonest pre-lacteals given by Ethiopian women are butter, plain water, cow milk, sugar with water, and formula milk. 8 – 13 , 15…”

Pre-lacteal Feeding Among Infants Within the First Week of Birth in Eastern Uganda: Evidence From a Health Facility-based Cross-sectional Study

“…However, pre-lacteal feeding is reported to be more likely among mothers who had given birth at home (3). Other studies report that not being aware of the risks associated with pre-lacteal feeding and late initiation of breastfeeding (4), attending less than four antenatal care visits (5), maternal illiteracy and lack of breastfeeding counseling (6), misconceptions about breastfeeding (7), and cesarean section delivery (8), among others are associated with increased risk of pre-lacteal feeding.…”