Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practiceof Exclusive Breastfeeding among Mothers Attending Selected Public Health Institution in Arada Sub City, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Date
2015-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
BACKGROUND:Malnutrition has been responsible, directly or indirectly for 60% of the 10.9 million deaths occurring annually among children under five years of age. Over two thirds of these deaths are often associated with inappropriate feeding practices occur during the first year of life.Breastfeeding is an unequalled way of providing ideal food for the healthy growth and development of infants. Exclusive breastfeeding is the most effective intervention and a good knowledge and attitude is necessary among mothers to practice appropriate breastfeeding to reduce infant and under five morbidity and mortality.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess knowledge, attitude and practice of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers and to identify determinants of breastfeeding practice in selected public health institutions of Arada Sub- City, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
METHODS:A cross-sectional facility based study was conducted among 383 mothers who have infants below six months old in three selected health facilities one Hospital and two health centers of Addis Ababa in March to April 2015. Random sampling with proportional to size allocation technique was applied. Structured questionnaire was used to interview the selected mothers, experienced interviewers and supervisor were collected the data using a pretested questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS windows version 20.0 software.
RESULTS: A total of 383 mothers who had children aged less than 6 months were interviewed. The ever breastfeeding rate in this study was found to be 99.7% and timely initiation of breastfeeding and EBF rate based on 24 hours recall were 65.8% and 74.3% respectively. The study findings revealed that there is a good practice of exclusive breastfeeding. Knowledge of additional food to be given with breast milk from birth to 6 months(P<0.001), total frequency of breastfeeding within a day(P<0.001), and age of the mother (P<0.05) were identified to be the final predictors of exclusive breastfeeding practice by 24 hours recall, after controlling socio-demographic, reproductive health, knowledge attitude and practice of EBF variables.
ONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: This study has identified that exclusive breastfeeding prevalence based on 24 hours recall was 74.3%, and 99.7% of the study participant ever breastfed at some point of time. However, there are some gaps in knowledge, attitude and practice identified in this study which could potentially affect EBF practice. Hence, strengthening the capacity of health professionals and sustaining the existing strategies to promote and support EBF practices; and approaches for further improvement of EBF practice is highly recommended.
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Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practiceof Exclusive Breastfeeding