article · International Journal of Pediatrics
Exclusive breastfeeding up to six months of age represents optimal infant nutrition, yet early cessation remains common in developing regions. An institutional cross-sectional study evaluated the rate and determinants of early exclusive breastfeeding cessation among 344 mothers attending a measles vaccination clinic in northwest Ethiopia. The investigation revealed that 21.5 percent of mothers ceased exclusive breastfeeding before the recommended six months. Discontinuation was significantly linked to maternal age of nineteen years or younger, being a first-time mother, employment as a civil servant, and having an illiterate spouse. Additionally, missing postnatal follow-up care and demonstrating poor knowledge regarding breastmilk composition and its benefits substantially raised the likelihood of early cessation. Addressing these determinants requires targeted educational programmes for young and first-time mothers, expanded postnatal care, longer maternity leave, and dedicated workplace support systems to enable ongoing breastfeeding.
Exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months provides essential nutritional and health protection for infants. Identifying why mothers discontinue this practice helps healthcare services and employers design targeted support. Pinpointing vulnerable demographics, including young mothers, first-time parents, and formal workers, enables public health authorities to focus education, postnatal follow-up, and workplace maternity policies where they can have the greatest effect on child survival.
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Background . Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is the gold standard of infant feeding practice which lasts up to 6 months postpartum. Not all infants are exclusively breastfed in developing countries, including Ethiopia. This study, therefore, assessed the magnitude and determining factors of EBF cessation practice among mothers at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. Method . Institutional-based cross-sectional study design using a systematic random sampling technique was applied to select 344 mothers of infants aged 9 months came for measles vaccination. Pretested structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. Data were entered, cleaned, and analyzed by using SPSS version 21. Independent variables with a <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" id="M1"><mml:mi>P</mml:mi></mml:math> value of <0.05 indicated association. Result . The magnitude of cessation of EBF was 21.5% with 95% CI (17.24-25.76). Maternal age ≤ 19 years [<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" id="M2"><mml:mtext>AOR</mml:mtext><mml:mo>=</mml:mo><mml:mn>5.53</mml:mn></mml:math>; 95% CI (1.07-28.57)], civil servants [<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" id="M3"><mml:mtext>AOR</mml:mtext><mml:mo>=</mml:mo><mml:mn>4.73</mml:mn></mml:math>; 95% CI (2.20-10.19)], illiterate husbands [<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" id="M4"><mml:mtext>AOR</mml:mtext><mml:mo>=</mml:mo><mml:mn>3.76</mml:mn></mml:math>; 95% CI (1.13-12.49)], primi-para [<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" id="M5"><mml:mtext>AOR</mml:mtext><mml:mo>=</mml:mo><mml:mn>2.42</mml:mn></mml:math>; 95% CI (1.22-4.79)], no postnatal follow up [<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" id="M6"><mml:mtext>AOR</mml:mtext><mml:mo>=</mml:mo><mml:mn>2.62</mml:mn></mml:math>; 95% CI (1.44-4.80)], and having poor knowledge on breastfeeding benefits and composition of breastmilk [<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" id="M7"><mml:mtext>AOR</mml:mtext><mml:mo>=</mml:mo><mml:mn>3.15</mml:mn></mml:math>; 95% CI (1.56-6.35)] were independent factors significantly associated with cessation of EBF. Conclusion and recommendation . The magnitude of cessation of EBF was high. Maternal age, parity, employment status, postnatal follow-up, and breastfeeding knowledge as well as spouse literacy level were independent factors significantly associated with cessation of EBF. Our study provides further impetus for empowering young and primi-para with breastfeeding knowledge, an extension of maternity leave time, and support for breastfeeding at the workplace.
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DOI: 10.1155/2020/8431953
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