Socio-demographic Factors associated with Duration of Exclusive Breastfeeding Practice among Mothers in East Malaysia

Abstract

Breastfeeding practice is common in Malaysia. However, sustaining the duration of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) practice for up to 6 months as recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) is a problem for mothers. Numerous factors are associated with this good practice and one of the important ones is the socio-demographic factors. The study examined the association of socio-demographic factors and duration of EBF practice among mothers in Kuching, East Malaysia. A cross-sectional study among 159 mothers of children in the age group of 6-24 months through purposive sampling attending Maternal and Child Health (MCH) clinics in Kuching division was conducted between April and Mei 2009. Data was collected using a set of supervised self-completed questionnaire on EBF practice and mother's socio-demographic factors. Factors related to duration of EBF practice were analysed using logistic regression analysis. 88.1% of mothers reported that they initiated and breastfeed their child exclusively. Only 44.3% of mothers breastfeed their child exclusively till 6 months and the others were not. Being unemployed [

Exclusive breastfeeding practice and its associated factors among children aged 6-23 months in Woldia Town, Northwest Ethiopia

“…Employed mothers were less likely to practice EBF than unemployed mothers. This finding was in line with studies done in Injibara, Ethiopia 19 , and Malaysia 48 . This might be an indication for absence of onsite child care facilities, non-flexibility of job time, not initiating mother's friendly policies at the workplace that support breastfeeding.…”

“…In the current finding the prevalence of EBF practice was comparable with studies conducted in different parts of Ethiopia 25 , 31 , 47 , 48 . On the other hand, the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding practice in the current study was higher than studies conducted elsewhere 29 , 30 , 32 , 49 .…”