Prelacteal Feeding Practices among Mothers in Motta Town, Northwest Ethiopia A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Optimal breastfeeding is recommended upto two years, i.e, it prevents 1.4 million child deaths per year.Despite this prelacteal feeding is commonly practiced inEthiopia due to different reasons. The objective of this studywas to assess prelacteal feeding and associated factors amongmothers who have infants less than six months of age.METHOD: A community based quantitative cross sectionalstudy was conducted from April 7, 2015 to May 7, 2015.Using simple random sampling method total of 423 motherswith infant less than six months old were included in thisstudy.The data were collected by using an interviewer administered questionnaire. Both simple and multiple logisticregression analyses were computed to identify factorsassociated with prelacteal feeding.RESULTS: Prevalence of prelacteal feeding was 20.3% [95%CL: 16.38% - 24.02%]. The most common prelacteal feedingin the study area was butter (62.2%). Mothers with younginfant who fed colostrum [AOR=3.540 (1.534, 8.173),initiated breastfeeding on time [AOR=4.4832 (1.823, 11.028)]and supported by husband’s [AOR=2.686 (1.037, 6.953)] wereless likely to practice prelacteal feeding to their infant thantheir counterparts.CONCLUSIONS: Prelacteal feeding was common in thestudy area. Colostrum feeding, timely initiations ofbreastfeeding and husband support were the independentpredictors of prelacteal feeding practices. Recommendation toavoid prelacteal feeding practices were: increasing the habitof mothers to initiate breastfeeding timely and to feedcolostrum through education, empowering husbandsregarding to breastfeeding and avoiding traditional practicesthat hinder optimal breastfeeding like colostrum avoidance.