Prevalence and Determinants of Timely Initiation of Breastfeeding among Lactating Mothers of Urban Dwellers in Western Ethiopia: A Community Based Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Timely initiation of breastfeeding is not only the easiest, cost effective and most successful intervention; it also tops the table of life-saving interventions for the health of the newborn. Twenty two percent of neonatal deaths could be prevented, if all infants are put to the breast within the first hour of birth. Thus, the study was designed to assess prevalence of timely initiation of breastfeeding and associated factors among lactating mothers less than twenty four months children in urban dwellers of Western Ethiopia.Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January to February, 2014 on 182 mothers who had child less than 24 month. The study participants were randomly selected from mother’s identity number registration book of health extension workers of the sub cities. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was fit to identify independent predictors of early initiation of breastfeeding after controlling for confounding variables.Result: In this study, the prevalence of timely initiation of breastfeeding was found to be 88.5%. In multivariable analysis, advice given to mother on breast feeding during antenatal care visit (AOR (95% CI) = 0.094 (0.03-0.35)) and knowing importance of colostrum (AOR (95% CI) = 0.19 (0.05-0.69)) were positively associated with timely initiation of breastfeeding. Those mothers who had poor child attachment to breast were 3.6 times more likely to initiate breastfeeding after one hour delivery compared to mothers who had good child attachment to breast (AOR (95% CI) = 3.64 (1.05-12.6)).Conclusion: The study showed that the prevalence of timely initiation of breastfeeding was good. Advice during antenatal care visit, child attachment to breast and knowing importance of colostrum were important predictors for timely initiation of breastfeeding. Thus, the ongoing antenatal care advising on breast feeding practice should be strengthening and more close attention is needed on breast attachment practice of lactating mothers.

Keywords: Timely initiation, breastfeeding, Western Ethiopia