Abstract:
Background: According to UNICEF, early breastfeeding rates in sub-Saharan and Africa have increased by
19% from 1995 to 2011. The study is estimated that exclusively breastfed were 41% of children in sub-Sahara
Africa. When it comes to Ethiopia, the numbers are encouraging. Ethiopia is one of the leading countries with
52% of children exclusively breastfed within the first six months.
Objective: Exclusively breastfed (EBF) is essential to explore geographical patterns and identify the
determinants of exclusively breastfed practice considering to its use as it prevents practice of newborn babies.
However, the methods section emphasis about stunting women aged 15–49 years whose child was for first six
months in Ethiopia.
Methods: This study is a secondary data analysis of the EDHS (2016). A total of 4591 children aged 0–6 months
were included in the analysis. The interpolation spatial statistical tool was used to identify distribution of areas
of stunting. A multilevel multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with stunting.
Results: Most infants started breastfeeding of females 97.7% and male 95.1% with infants were breastfeeding
at 6 months and age 6 months. Mothers’ age 25 to 37 years (OR=2.33, 95% CI, 1.196, 4.549) and 3.845 times
more had exclusively breastfed than those whose age belongs 15 to 24(OR=3.845, 95% CI, 1.271, 11.635,
p=0.017). Mothers who lived at Amhara region (OR=1.92, 95%CI; 1.318, 2.791), SNNPR (OR=2.70, 95%CI;
2.016, 3.618), Harari (OR=3.84, 95%CI; 2.630,5.607) and Dire Dawa (OR=2.55,95%CI; 1.7683, 3.688).
However, the mothers who lived Afar region (OR=0.527,95%CI; 0.284, 0.976) were 0.527 times less likely to
have breastfeeding practice than mothers who lived at Tigray and those from that lived in Oromia region (OR=
0.758, 95% CI; 0.5254, 1.094 ), Benishangul gumz region (OR= 0.839, 95% CI .5678, 1.239), Gambela region
(OR 0.839, 95% CI; 0.5848, 1.204) and a women that had primary education level (OR=2.99, 95% CI; 1.44,
6.217) and secondary (OR= 3.58, 95% CI; 1.369, 9.346), The mass media were an important factor for the
practice for exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and it showed that (OR=3.118, 95% CI; 1.357,
7.1656) 3.118 times more practice for exclusively breastfeeding than the mother those who were no exposure
to media.
Conclusions: This study showed a low prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding. Younger child born to married
women, who are housewives, having a vaginal birth in a health facility, and whose mother’s breasts were healthy
and predictors for EBF.
