DISCONTINUATION OF EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING AND ITS ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG MOTHERS WORKING IN PUBLIC SECTORS IN JIGJIGA TOWN, EASTERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Introduction: Exclusive breastfeeding provides the best and complete nourishment for the baby during the first six months of life. Employed women tend to breastfeed less than non-employed women exclusively. In the study settings, little is known about employed mothers’ practice of exclusive breastfeeding. Objective: To assess the magnitude of exclusive breastfeeding discontinuation and associated factors among employed mothers in Jigjiga City, Ethiopia, 15 November to 07 December, 2023 Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 426 randomly selected employed mothers. Data were collected face-to face-interview using a pretested and structured questionnaire. The data were collected using Kobo toolbox software and analyzed using SPSS window version 20. Bivariate and multivariate binary logistic regression were used to identify the association between independent variables and the outcome variable. Results: The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding discontinuation was found to be 65.4% (95% CI:60.4, 69.9). Achieving primary educational level [AOR=2.31, 95% CI: 1.14, 4.71], lack of antenatal care follow-up [AOR=1.86, 95% CI: 1.16, 2.98], being full-time employee [AOR=3.64, 95% CI: 2.16, 6.12], and having poor knowledge about EBF [AOR =3.05, 95% CI: 1.82, 5.12] were significantly associated with exclusive breastfeeding discontinuation. Conclusion: Nearly two-thirds of employed mothers discontinued exclusive breastfeeding in Jigjiga. Thus, sector-level breastfeeding improvement intervention should be implemented focusing on mothers with lower-level educational status and full-time employees through awareness creation and promoting ANC follow-up.