Socio-Economic and Demographic Correlates of Exclusive Breastfeeding Among Women in Kirkos Subcity of Addis Ababa
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Date
2011-05
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The practice of Exclusive Breastfeeding is a vital source of healthy growth to infonts ond hos
a protective effect against mortolity ond morbidity. Exclusive Breostfeeding is defined os the
proctice of feeding 0 boby only of breast milk up to oge 6 months without introducing
complementory foods. However, different studies hove proven that the subject is hardly
understood by mothers ond the general public. According to the ovailable estimates at
globol, Africo and nationol (Ethiopia) levels, exclusive breostfeeding is procticed by neorly
one-third of mothers.
The main objective of the study is to investigate the demographic and socio-economic factors
that are influential to the exercise of EBFP, in the study area, Kirkos Sub-City in April, 2011.
The study is a cross sectional and simple random sampling method/technique to arrive at 334
eligible pregnant respondents - both from government and private health institutions. In
addition to the face to face interview, Focus Graup Discussions (FGDs) were undertaken.
Based on the results obtained, about 39% of the respondents do exercise EBF in the study
area. Nonetheless, the concept of exclusive breast feeding is found to be less understood by
the respondents and an introduction of supplementary foods or at least water begins at early
ages due to the cultural belief that children are thirsty, for the salty nature of breast milk and
hungry for the disproportional demand of food to their growth after two or three months.
Lots of factors are seemingly determinants to the exclusive breast feeding. However, this
study has concluded that attitude, income and educotion of mothers are found to have
significont association with the practice of EBF than other factors.
Upan conclusion, the study has forwarded recommendation to stakeholders such as Ministry
of Health including professional gynecologists, doctors, nurses, ". to be able to make the
mothers aware of the unutilized opportunity of Exclusive Breastfeeding practice for
themselves and their infants. By the same taken ministry of labour and social affairs in
consultation with ministry of health could facilitate to give breastfeeding mothers a
reasonable payment without work or reduction of working hours during the first six months
of the babies age.
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Socio-Economic