BREAST FEEDING TECHNIQUE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG BREAST FEEDING MOTHERS AT HARARI REGIONAL STATE, EASTERN ETHIOPIA

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, xii 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.