Abstract:
Introduction: Globally, ineffective breast feeding technique is one of the contributing factors
for around 1.4 million deaths and 10% of the disease burden in children younger than 5 years of
age as a result of mother practicing nonexclusive breast feeding where Ethiopia is not
exceptional. However, to my knowledge, studies related to magnitude of effective breast
feeding technique and the associated factors in eastern Ethiopia are either limited or not
available. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess breast feeding technique and associated
factors among breast feeding mothers.
Methods: Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted in selected governmental
health facilities of Harari regional state, Eastern Ethiopia from January 27, 2017 – February 26,
2017. Systematic random sampling technique was used to select a total of 422 participants.
Data were collected using observational checklist and pretested questionnaires. Double data
entry were done using (Epi-data version 3.1) and exported to SPSS version 21. Descriptive,
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bivariate, multivariate and logistic regression analysis was done to identify independent
predictors of breast feeding technique. P-value of 0.05 or less was used for final interpretation.
Result: Sixty percent of mothers had previous breast feeding experience and only 35% of the
mothers got immediate BFT counseling after delivery. The magnitude of effective BFT was
lower in the study area. Effective BFT was 2.3 times more common among mothers with
educational status secondary school and above [AOR=2.3, 95%, CI, (1.1, 3.9)]. The practice of
effective BFT was more abundant among mothers who had immediate BFT counseling after
delivery [AOR= 1.7, 95%, CI, (1.1, 2.8)] & frequency of PNC visit ≥2 [AOR=5.9, 95%, CI,
(2.1, 15.9)] Compared to their counter parts. Absence of breast problem and having previous
breast feeding experience significantly increased the likelihood of effective BFT [AOR =4, 95%
CI, (1.4, 10.9)] and [AOR=3.3, 95% CI, (1.1, 10.7)] respectively compared to their
counterparts.
Conclusion: The practice of effective BFT was lower in the study area. Effective BFT was
mostly affected by educational status, awareness level of the mothers, previous breast feeding
experience and PNC services. Therefore, maternal education, awareness creation and PNC
service utilizations need to get attention.
