Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Women towards Exclusive Breastfeeding and Mixed Feeding In Gubalafto Woreda, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia
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Date
2014-04
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Publisher
Addis Abeba Universty
Abstract
Background
World health organization (WHO) and United Nations Children’s fund (UNICEF) recommends
breastfeeding children exclusively the first six months, and continuing breast-feeding along with
complementary foods up to 2 years or beyond is important. Despite the recommendations,
national exclusive breastfeeding prevalence in many countries remained very law which ranges
from 30%-67% only.
This study was intended to provide relevant information for government and nongovernmental
organizations’ (NGOs) officials on magnitudes and gaps on breastfeeding, exclusive
breastfeeding in particular. This will help for appropriate and relevant interventions.
Objective
To assess knowledge, attitude, and practices of mothers on exclusive breast-feeding and mixed
feeding and indicate areas of interventions for relevant stakeholders.
Methodology
This study was designed as an institution based cross-sectional study supplemented with
qualitative method. A structured and semi structured questionnaires were used for quantitative
and qualitative data collection respectively.
Results
Proportion of women with good knowledge and good exclusive breastfeeding practice was
259(65.1%) and 311(78.1%) respectively. Prevalence of mixed feeding practice was 73(18.3%).
In the hierarchical analysis; their spouse being educated, maternal age >35 years, married
mothers, being a housewife remained significant predictors of EBF knowledge. Mothers who
were formally educated and being a housewife were significant predictors of good EBF practice.
Conclusions and Recommendations
Even though mothers who visit health clinics are expected to have better knowledge status, their
knowledge status regarding EBF recommendations remained very low. Their EBF practice level
was still unsatisfactory. Their spouse being educated, mothers being married, being a housewife
and mothers’ illiteracy negatively affected their knowledge and practice status on EBF. A
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support from family, health care providers, health policy makers and health project implementers
is imperative to improve appropriate breastfeeding practice among breastfeeding mothers.
Description
Keywords
Knowledge, Attitude