Gurmu, Eshetu (PhD)Sidelel, Abate2018-07-262023-11-182018-07-262023-11-182014-06http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/12345678/10129Background: 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.enBreastfeedillgThesis