Abstract:
Abstract
Introduction
Formula feeding is providing infants industrially formulated milk in addition to or
instead of breast milk. This contributes to suboptimal breast-feeding and adversely
affects child and maternal health outcomes when it is given during the first 6 month
of age. However, evidences on formula feeding are limited in Western Ethiopia.
Objective: The objective of this study was to assess formula-feeding practice and
associated factors to infants within the first 6 months in Asossa town, Western
Ethiopia.
Methods: Community based cross sectional study design was conducted from
March 1-30, 2020 in Asossa town on 418 participants and systematic random
sampling technique was applied. Data were collected by interview method using
pretested structured questionnaire. The data were entered in to EPI DATA version
3.1 and exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Factors associated with formula
feeding at p value <0.25 in bi variable analysis were further considered for
multivariate logistic regression and p value <0.05 at 95% Confidence interval was
declared statistically significant association.
Result: Prevalence of formula feeding in Asossa town was 47.8%
Conclusion: Nearly half of study participants practiced formula feeding. Formula
feeding was positively associated with working private business, having positive
attitude toward formula milk and having male infants. While attending PNC was
preventive factors for formula feeding.
Keywords: Formula feeding practice, associated factors, mother of 6-12 months
age, Asossa town.
