Determinants of Breastfeeding in Amhara Region
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Date
2014-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: Exclusive breasrjeeding up to 6 month after birth and optimum
breasrjeeding with appropriate complement(ny food from 6'" to 24'" month and beyond is
vital for children healthy development and growth. Breasrjeeding is a common practice
in Ethiopia as a whole and in Amhara region in particular. However, there are different
obstacles regarding different breasrjeeding practices.
Objecti ve~ : This study is aimed at assessing different breastjeeding practices and
investigating the key determinan ts of breastjeeding in Amhara region on children thm
were born in two years preceding the 20 II Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey.
Method' Raw data which were collected in 2011 Ethiopian Demographic and Health
Survey by administering stratified two stages (Enumeration Area and household) cluster
sampling method were nsed to study different breastjeeding practices and key
determinants of breastjeeding
Result: Ti,e prevalence of e-.;clusive breasrjeeding was 71.6%. Continued breasrjeeding '1/
one year and at two years were 98.8% and 90.5% respectively. The median duration for
any breasrjeeding, exclusive breasrjeeding and predominant breastjeeding lVere 32.7, 4.6
and 7.4 months respectively. Child age, child size at birth and person lVho usn ally
decides on respondents ' health care for exclusive breastjeeding; child size ([{ birth,
Cltrrent marital status and 1II0thers occupation appear to be determinant early
breasrjeeding initiation whilst child sex, mothers ' age and untrained traditional birth
attendant tend to influence pre-lacteal f eeding practices.
Conclusion: A range of socia-economic and demographic characteristics are found to
affect breastjeeding Educating parents (i.e both mothers and fath ers of children) and
ellfering breastjeeding education 10 the school system are recommended to achieve
Sltccessful child f eeding practice.
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Keywords
Determinants of Breastfeeding