Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Breastfeeding in Mothers who have Children from birth to 2 years old in Asella Town, Ethiopia, 2015

  • Debela Tolessa Yadate Department of Physiology, College of Health Sciences, Arsi University, Asella, Ethiopia.
  • Kelil Haji Bedane Department of Anatomy, College of Health Sciences, Arsi University, Asella, Ethiopia.
  • Gizaw Eshetu Abaye Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Health Science, Arsi University, Asella, Ethiopia.

Abstract

Background and Aim: Breastfeeding provides the ideal food for healthy growth and development of infants; it is also an integral part of the reproductive process. However, breastfeeding rate is low in developing countries including Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from March 20, to June 30, 2015 to assess knowledge, attitude and practice towards breastfeeding mothers who feed their child from birth to 2 years old. Results: Of 384 total mothers, about 74.9% and 68.6% mothers had sufficient knowledge and good attitude towards breastfeeding pattern respectively. Only one hundred ninety three (50.3%) of the mothers had good practice of breastfeeding. The proportion of the mothers initiating breastfeeding within one hour of delivery and exclusive breastfeeding was 66.2% and 82.3%, respectively. Being employed AOR (Adjusted odds ratio)=2.58[95% confidence interval (CI)]: 1.29-5.16), having ANC (Antenatal care) follow up AOR=3.33(95%CI:1.65-6.74), institutional delivery AOR=1.22(0.29-0.5.17) and being employed AOR=3.0(95%CI:1.73- 5.20), having ANC follow up AOR=2.93(95%CI:1.41-6.07) and institutional delivery AOR=0.66(95%CI:0.16-2.61) were significantly associated with sufficient knowledge and good attitude, respectively. Moreover, ANC follow up AOR=3.12(95%CI: 1.47-6.66) and being counseled during ANC follow up AOR=2.60(95%CI: 1.52-4.45) had shown statistically significant association with practice of breastfeeding. Conclusion: This study revealed that the prevalence of ever breastfeeding and giving the first milk for their newborns was almost universal; however, still mothers had gaps about timely initiation of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding. Being employed, having ANC follow up and institutional delivery could have an influence on knowledge and attitude of the mothers towards breastfeeding.

Knowledge of respondent mothers about breastfeeding, Asella town, Ethiopia, 2015.
Published
2019-12-26
How to Cite
Yadate, D. T., Bedane, K. H., & Abaye, G. E. (2019). Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Breastfeeding in Mothers who have Children from birth to 2 years old in Asella Town, Ethiopia, 2015. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Physiology, 6(4), 128-133. https://doi.org/10.5530/ijcep.2019.6.4.34