Formula Feeding practice and Associated Factors to Infants within the First 6 Months in Asossa town, Western Ethiopia, 2020

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.