MAGNITUDE OF EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING PRACTICE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG URBAN GOVERNMENT EMPLOYED MOTHERS VISITING HEALTH CENTERS IN KOLFE KERANYO SUB CITY

Abstract

Promotion of exclusive breastfeeding is the single most cost-effective intervention to reduce infant mortality in developing countries. Workplace barriers contribute to low rates of exclusive breastfeeding practices. Despite its benefits, evidence on the practice of exclusive breastfeeding among employed women is limited in Ethiopia including in the study area. Objective: To assess the Magnitude of Exclusive Breastfeeding Practice and Associated Factors Among Urban Government Employed Mothers Visiting Health Center in Kolfe Keranyo Sub City, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods: Facility based cross-sectional study design was done among randomly selected 317 adult age government employed mothers of children aged 6 to 23 months in Kolfe Keranyo sub city, selected governmental organization, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from July23-August 23, 2021. Data were entered to EpiData version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 20 for further analysis. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were done to assess factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding practice. Odds ratio along with 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated to measure the strength of the association. Level of statistical significance was declared at p value less than 0.05. Results were displayed using tables and figures. Result: The magnitude of exclusive breastfeeding practice among urban government employed mothers was 25.2%, 95% CI: (20.3%, 30.1%). Being health worker by occupation [(AOR= 5.86 ,95%CI:(2.92, 11.74)], maternal age, 21-30 years [(AOR= 0.02,95%CI:(0.002, 0.11)] , 31-40 years [(AOR=0.04 ,95%CI:(0.007, 0.25)], mother’s favorable attitude towards infant and young child feeding(IYCF) practice [ (AOR=5.44, 95%CI : (1.71, 17.27)] , and being para two and above [(AOR=0.46, 95%CI:(0.23, 0.91)] were significantly associated with exclusive breastfeeding. Conclusion: The magnitude of exclusive breastfeeding practice among government employed mothers was very low relative to WHO’s recommendation. Maternal age, occupation, attitude towards IYCF, and parity were identified as significant predictors of exclusive breastfeeding. Efforts in improving the practice of exclusive breastfeeding through behavior change communication towards the practice in particular and empowering mothers to have favourable attitude towards infant and young child feeding practices in general were recommended