Abstract:
Introduction: Non-exclusive breastfeeding is giving infants other foods or fluids in addition to the breast milk within the first six months age of child. According to the Ethiopian Demographic Health Survey 2011, non-exclusive breastfeeding in Ethiopia before 6 month was 48% which has been significantly affected the health and development of the child.
Objectives: To assess the prevalence and associated factors of non-exclusive breast feeding to infants within the first six months.
Methods: A community based cross sectional quantitative study was conducted from March 1st to April 31/2014 among 828 mothers who have infant from 6 to 12 months old at Gondar town. Systematic random sampling technique was used to select study subjects. Data was collected using a structured and pre tested interview based questionnaire checked, coded and entered to Epi Info version 3.5.1, and exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the association between dependent and independent variables. OR and 95% CI were computed to identify predictor variables.
Result: The prevalence of non-exclusive breastfeeding of mothers to their infants within the first 6 months was found to be 47.5%. Maternal education, maternal occupation and knowledge of complementary feeding were found to be independent predictors of non-exclusive breast feeding practice. Mothers with primary school (AOR =0.46 [95% CI: 0.30, 0.71]) and secondary high school and above (AOR=0.55 [95% CI: 0.35, 0.87]) educational status were less likely practiced non-exclusive breastfeeding. Governmental employed (AOR= 2.55 [(95% CI: 1.45, 4.46]) and farmer (AOR =2.54 [95% CI: 1.58, 4.09]) were more likely practiced non-exclusive breastfeeding. Mothers who had knowledge of time for initiation of complementary feeding ≥ 6 months (AOR=0.07 [95% CI: 0.04, 0.10]) were less likely practiced non-exclusive breastfeeding.
Conclusion: This study showed that 47.5% of mothers practiced non-exclusive breastfeeding within the first 6 months. It was relatively higher prevalence than some areas of Ethiopia and other developing countries. Mothers with no formal education, gov’tal employed, farmers and having knowledge for complementary feeding < 6 months were recommended to decrease proportion of non-exclusive breastfeeding practices.
