Three-fourth of children is received early initiation of Breastfeeding in West Belessa District

Abstract

Background : The world is now suffering from malnutrition and remains one of the major causes of under-five mortality. Children from developing countries, including Ethiopia also suffer from undernutrition due to suboptimal breastfeeding practice. Hence, the study aims were to assess early initiation of breastfeeding among children aged less than two years, months in West Belessa district, North West Ethiopia, 2019. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January to February 2019 in the West Belessa district. A total of 569 Children was selected by a simple random sampling technique. The data were collected by an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. Data were entered and analyzed by using Epi-Info version 7 and SPPS version 20, respectively. Bi-variable logistic regression analysis was used to check predictor variables associated with the dependent variable. Variables having a p-value of less than 0.20 in the bi-variable analysis were fitted into the multivariable model. Multivariable binary logistic regression with a 95% confidence interval and Odds Ratio (OR) were computed. Variables having p-value < 0.05 were taken as significantly associated with the dependent variables. Result : The prevalence of EIBF was 77.7 % (95%CI, 74.3-81.0). Age of the mother (AOR= 2.76, 95%CI (1.21, 6.27)), postnatal Visit (AOR= 1.85, 95%CI (1.03, 3.85)), and Antenatal care (AOR= 2.58, 95%CI (1.18, 9.94)) was significantly associated with EIBF. Conclusion and Recommendation: We observed, the prevalence of early initiation of Breastfeeding was low in West Belessa District. Age of the mother, Antenatal and postnatal care were associated with EIBF. Hence, improving antenatal and postnatal care services through increase accessibility and providing counseling during this contact time. Keywords: early initiation of breastfeeding, Children, West Belessa