Breastfeeding practice and associated factors among mothers/caretakers of children aged 0‐23 months in Asella Town, South East Ethiopia, 2015

• Main Author: Sileshi Demelash Sasie
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Makhdoomi Printers 2017-01-01
• Series: Global Journal of Medicine and Public Health
• Subjects: Infant; Young Child; Feeding Practice
• Online Access: http://gjmedph.com/uploads/O6-Vo6No4.pdf
• ISSN: 2277-9604; 2277-9604

Background The global strategy for infant and young child feeding describes essential actions to protect, promote and support appropriate infant and young child feeding. Finding in the area of infant and young child feeding practice is low in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to describe infant and young child feeding practices at Asella Town. Methods A community based cross‐sectional study was conducted between October and November 2015 using both quantitative and qualitative methods. A questionnaire was administered to 421 mothers/caregivers of children aged 0‐ 23 months. Focused group discussions were conducted in selected communities to assess parents practice to infant and young child feedings. Results Timely initiation and exclusive breast feed was 86.3 % and 70% respectively. Minimum meal frequency (MMF) and minimum dietary diversity (MMD) was 53.8% and 23.6% respectively. Sex of child (AOR =1.5(1.13, 3.2), place of delivery (AOR=1.77(1.02, 3.06)) and culturally acceptable time for initiation of complementary feeding (AOR=4(1.75, 9.47) was significantly associated with IYCF practice. Conclusion The IYCF practice of mothers/caregivers is good in the Town. However there is a need to develop health education intervention, targeting behavior change in the urban area regarding IYCF practices are essential.