Assessment of Pre-Lacteal Feeding Practice and its Associated Factors Among Mothers Having Children Less Than 24 Months of Age in Fitche Town, North Showa, Ethiopia
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Date
2016-05
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: - A pre-lacteal feed is any food except mother’s milk provided to a newborn
before initiating breastfeeding. The early introduction of complementary feeds before the age of
six months can lead to displacement of breast milk and increased risk of infections such as
diarrhea, which further contributes to weight loss and malnutrition.
Objective:-The aim of this study was to assess pre-lacteal feeding practice and its associated
factors among mothers having children less than 24 months of age in Fitche town, North Shewa,
Ethiopia, 2016.
Methods: - A community based cross-sectional study was conducted at Fitche town from
February 1 to March 1, 2016. 327 mothers having children less than 24 months of age were
selected by systematic sampling technique. Interviewer administered structured questionnaires
was used to collect data. The data was entered using EPI data version 3.1and exported to SPSS
version 22 statistical packages for analysis. Descriptive statistics, binary and multivariable
logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors associated with pre-lacteal feeding
practices. The variables which had significant association were identified on the bases of P value
<0.05 and 95%CI.
Results: The prevalence of pre-lacteal feeding practice was 24.4%. The common type of pre-
lacteal feeding was plain water; 39(12.2) followed by butter; 25(7.8%). Mothers who didn’t get
breast feeding counseling were seven times more likely practice pre-lacteal feeding when
compared to their counter parts (AOR: 7.07 (95% CI: 1.67, 29.88)). Mothers who didn’t have
knowledge on risk associated with pre-lacteal feeding were 8.56 times more likely practice pre-
lacteal feeding as compared to their counterparts(AOR: 8.56 95% CI: 2.65, 27.64)).
Conclusion and Recommendation: Prelacteal feeding was commonly practiced in Fitche town.
Lack of
breast feeding counseling and knowledge of mothers about risk associated with pre-
lacteal feeding were identified as potential predictors of pre-lacteal feeding practice. Promoting
behavioral change communication activities on the risk associated with prelactal feeding and to
provide appropriate counseling on breast feeding practice to the mothers with practical
demonstration of how to position the infant during breast feeding.
Key Words: - Pre-lacteal feeding, Exclusive breast feeding, Mothers
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Keywords
Pre-lacteal feeding, Exclusive breast feeding, Mothers