International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences

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Exclusive Breastfeeding and Maternal Employment in Ethiopia: A Comparative Cross- Sectional Study

Received: 04 October 2014    Accepted: 16 October 2014    Published: 30 October 2014
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Abstract

Back-ground: Promotion of exclusive breastfeeding is the single most cost-effective intervention to reduce infant mortality in developing countries. Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months has greater benefit than formula feeding for the prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV. In Ethiopia, the prevalence of exclusive breast feeding among infants less than 6 months is 49%, with limited information on associated factors of exclusive breast feeding. Understanding the associated factors that influence exclusive breastfeeding is crucial to promote the practice in Ethiopia. Objective: To compare exclusive breastfeeding and its associated factors among employed and unemployed mothers in Injibara Town, Awi Zone, North west Ethiopia. Method: A community-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from March 24-April 14, 2013. A total of 524 mothers of children age ≤1 year were included in the study. A structured, pretested and self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Descriptive statistics were performed to compare exclusive breastfeeding among employed and unemployed mothers. Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify independent predictors of exclusive breastfeeding. Results: The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding was 44% and 65% among employed and unemployed mothers respectively. Employed mothers were 32% times less likely to breast feed exclusively than the unemployed mothers (OR= 0.32). Place of birth (OR=4.4), belief of breast milk sufficiency (OR= 3.6), religious fathers support of exclusive breastfeeding (OR=2.7) and maternal age of 18-23(OR=9.4) were independently predictors of exclusive breastfeeding among employed mothers. Whereas, husbands’ support of exclusive breastfeeding (OR=1.9), knowledge on duration of exclusive breastfeeding (OR=2.8), timely initiation of breastfeeding (OR=2.9), Awareness of exclusive breastfeeding (OR=2.2) and delivery attendance (OR=2.2) were independently predictors of exclusive breastfeeding among unemployed mothers. Conclusions: A large proportion of infants are not exclusively breastfed. Exclusive breastfeeding status of unemployed mothers was significantly better than that of employed mothers. Therefore, the government should promote exclusive breastfeeding by creating breastfeeding friendly working environment.

DOI 10.11648/j.ijnfs.20140306.12
Published in International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences (Volume 3, Issue 6, November 2014)
Page(s) 497-503
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Exclusive Breast Feeding, Maternal Employment, Injibara Town

References
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[2] World Health Organization: Global strategy for infant and young child feeding. The Optimal duration of exclusive breastfeeding. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2001.
[3] World Health Organization: Infant and young child feeding (IYCF) Model Chapter for Textbooks for medical students and allied health professionals. Switzerland: World Health Organization, 2009.
[4] Shenyang R, Muwonge R, and Nankya I. towards a Better Understanding of Exclusive Breastfeeding in the Era of HIV/AIDS: A Study of Prevalence and Factors Associated With Exclusive Breastfeeding from Birth, in Rakia, Uganda. Journal of Tropical Pediatrics, 2004, 50:348-53.
[5] Fjeld E, Siziya S, Katepa-Bwalya M, Kankasa C, Moland KM. PROMISE-EBF Study Group: No sister, the breast alone is not enough for my baby' a qualitative Assessment of potentials and barriers in the promotion of exclusive breastfeeding in Southern Zambia. Int Breastfeed J .2008, 3:26.
[6] WHO, Infant and young child feeding: model chapter for textbooks for medical Students and Allied health professionals, 2009.
[7] Central Statistical Agency. Demographic and health survey 2005, Ethiopia ORC Macro Calverton, Maryland, USA September, 2006.
[8] Central Statistical Agency [Ethiopia] and ORC Macro: Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) 2005. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and Calverton, Maryland, USA: Central Statistical Agency and ORC Macro, 2006.
[9] World Health Organization: Infant and young child feeding (IYCF) Model Chapter for Textbooks for medical students and allied health professionals. Switzerland: World Health Organization, 2009.
[10] Binns CW, Fraser ML, and Lee AH, Scott J. Defining exclusive breastfeeding in Australia. J Paediatr Child Health 2009, 45:174–180.
[11] Tesfaye S. et al, exclusive BF and associated factors among mothers in Goba woreda, bale Zone, Southeast Ethiopia. International Breastfeeding Journal, 2012, 7:17; 1-18.
[12] Dearden, K. Altaye, M. De Maza. Determinants of optimal breastfeeding in peri Urban Guatemala City, Guatemala. Rev Panam Salud Publica, 2002.
[13] Barry M. Popkin. Time allocation of the Mother and Child Nutrition. Ecology of Food and Nutrition; 1980; 9: 1-14.
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[17] Chudasama R. Patel P. & Kavishwar A. Breastfeeding initiation practice and factors Affecting breastfeeding in South Gujarat region of India. The Internet Journal of Family Practice, 2009.
[18] Tiwari, R. Mahajan, P. C. Lahariya, C. The determinants of exclusive breast feeding in urban slums: a community based study. Trop Pediatr, 2009.
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[20] Mclnnes RJ, Love JG, Stone DH. Independent predictors of breastfeeding intention in A Disadvantaged population of pregnant women. BMC Public Health 2001, 1:10
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Author Information
  • Ahmara Region Health Bureau, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

  • Department of Health Education and Behavioral Sciences, College of Public Health and Medical Sciences, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia

  • Department of Health Education and Behavioral Sciences, College of Public Health and Medical Sciences, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia

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    Mekuanint Taddele, Lakew Abebe, Netsanet Fentahun. (2014). Exclusive Breastfeeding and Maternal Employment in Ethiopia: A Comparative Cross- Sectional Study. International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences, 3(6), 497-503. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnfs.20140306.12

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    Mekuanint Taddele; Lakew Abebe; Netsanet Fentahun. Exclusive Breastfeeding and Maternal Employment in Ethiopia: A Comparative Cross- Sectional Study. Int. J. Nutr. Food Sci. 2014, 3(6), 497-503. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnfs.20140306.12

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    AMA Style

    Mekuanint Taddele, Lakew Abebe, Netsanet Fentahun. Exclusive Breastfeeding and Maternal Employment in Ethiopia: A Comparative Cross- Sectional Study. Int J Nutr Food Sci. 2014;3(6):497-503. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnfs.20140306.12

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ijnfs.20140306.12,
      author = {Mekuanint Taddele and Lakew Abebe and Netsanet Fentahun},
      title = {Exclusive Breastfeeding and Maternal Employment in Ethiopia: A Comparative Cross- Sectional Study},
      journal = {International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences},
      volume = {3},
      number = {6},
      pages = {497-503},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijnfs.20140306.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnfs.20140306.12},
      eprint = {https://download.sciencepg.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijnfs.20140306.12},
      abstract = {Back-ground: Promotion of exclusive breastfeeding is the single most cost-effective intervention to reduce infant mortality in developing countries. Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months has greater benefit than formula feeding for the prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV. In Ethiopia, the prevalence of exclusive breast feeding among infants less than 6 months is 49%, with limited information on associated factors of exclusive breast feeding. Understanding the associated factors that influence exclusive breastfeeding is crucial to promote the practice in Ethiopia. Objective: To compare exclusive breastfeeding and its associated factors among employed and unemployed mothers in Injibara Town, Awi Zone, North west Ethiopia. Method: A community-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from March 24-April 14, 2013. A total of 524 mothers of children age ≤1 year were included in the study. A structured, pretested and self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Descriptive statistics were performed to compare exclusive breastfeeding among employed and unemployed mothers. Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify independent predictors of exclusive breastfeeding. Results: The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding was 44% and 65% among employed and unemployed mothers respectively. Employed mothers were 32% times less likely to breast feed exclusively than the unemployed mothers (OR= 0.32). Place of birth (OR=4.4), belief of breast milk sufficiency (OR= 3.6), religious fathers support of exclusive breastfeeding (OR=2.7) and maternal age of 18-23(OR=9.4) were independently predictors of exclusive breastfeeding among employed mothers. Whereas, husbands’ support of exclusive breastfeeding (OR=1.9), knowledge on duration of exclusive breastfeeding (OR=2.8), timely initiation of breastfeeding (OR=2.9), Awareness of exclusive breastfeeding (OR=2.2) and delivery attendance (OR=2.2) were independently predictors of exclusive breastfeeding among unemployed mothers. Conclusions: A large proportion of infants are not exclusively breastfed. Exclusive breastfeeding status of unemployed mothers was significantly better than that of employed mothers. Therefore, the government should promote exclusive breastfeeding by creating breastfeeding friendly working environment.},
     year = {2014}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Exclusive Breastfeeding and Maternal Employment in Ethiopia: A Comparative Cross- Sectional Study
    AU  - Mekuanint Taddele
    AU  - Lakew Abebe
    AU  - Netsanet Fentahun
    Y1  - 2014/10/30
    PY  - 2014
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnfs.20140306.12
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ijnfs.20140306.12
    T2  - International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences
    JF  - International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences
    JO  - International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences
    SP  - 497
    EP  - 503
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2327-2716
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnfs.20140306.12
    AB  - Back-ground: Promotion of exclusive breastfeeding is the single most cost-effective intervention to reduce infant mortality in developing countries. Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months has greater benefit than formula feeding for the prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV. In Ethiopia, the prevalence of exclusive breast feeding among infants less than 6 months is 49%, with limited information on associated factors of exclusive breast feeding. Understanding the associated factors that influence exclusive breastfeeding is crucial to promote the practice in Ethiopia. Objective: To compare exclusive breastfeeding and its associated factors among employed and unemployed mothers in Injibara Town, Awi Zone, North west Ethiopia. Method: A community-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from March 24-April 14, 2013. A total of 524 mothers of children age ≤1 year were included in the study. A structured, pretested and self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Descriptive statistics were performed to compare exclusive breastfeeding among employed and unemployed mothers. Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify independent predictors of exclusive breastfeeding. Results: The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding was 44% and 65% among employed and unemployed mothers respectively. Employed mothers were 32% times less likely to breast feed exclusively than the unemployed mothers (OR= 0.32). Place of birth (OR=4.4), belief of breast milk sufficiency (OR= 3.6), religious fathers support of exclusive breastfeeding (OR=2.7) and maternal age of 18-23(OR=9.4) were independently predictors of exclusive breastfeeding among employed mothers. Whereas, husbands’ support of exclusive breastfeeding (OR=1.9), knowledge on duration of exclusive breastfeeding (OR=2.8), timely initiation of breastfeeding (OR=2.9), Awareness of exclusive breastfeeding (OR=2.2) and delivery attendance (OR=2.2) were independently predictors of exclusive breastfeeding among unemployed mothers. Conclusions: A large proportion of infants are not exclusively breastfed. Exclusive breastfeeding status of unemployed mothers was significantly better than that of employed mothers. Therefore, the government should promote exclusive breastfeeding by creating breastfeeding friendly working environment.
    VL  - 3
    IS  - 6
    ER  - 

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