Ineffective breastfeeding techniques and associated factors among breastfeeding mothers who gave birth in the last 6 months in Sinan Woreda, Northwest Ethiopia

Kelemu Alemie; Tewodros Eshete; Wassachew Ashebir; Getnet Gedif; Melaku Desta; Temesgen Ayenew; Alehegn Aderaw Alamneh; Daniel Bekele Ketema; Tilahun Degu Tsega; Animut Takele Telayneh

doi:10.1177/22799036231181184

Ineffective breastfeeding techniques and associated factors among breastfeeding mothers who gave birth in the last 6 months in Sinan Woreda, Northwest Ethiopia

J Public Health Res. 2023 Jun 28;12(2):22799036231181184. doi: 10.1177/22799036231181184. eCollection 2023 Apr.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Sinan Woreda Helth Office, East Gojjam Zone, Amhara, Ethiopia.
² Department of Health Informatics, College of Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia.
³ Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia.
⁴ Department of Midwifery, College of Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia.
⁵ Department of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia.
⁶ Department of Human Nutrition, College of Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia.
⁷ The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, Australia.
⁸ College of Health Sciences, Injibara University, Injibara, Ethiopia.

Abstract

Background: Optimal infant feeding is critical for children's growth and development during their first years of life. Plenty of evidence on ineffective breastfeeding techniques, yet the problem is still deep-rooted and requires further research in Ethiopia.

Objective: To determine the proportion of ineffective breastfeeding techniques and associated factors among breastfeeding mothers who gave birth in the last 6 months in Sinan Woreda.

Design and methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 10 to April 8, 2021 with a total of 389 samples. A computer-generated simple random sampling was used to select mothers. An observational checklist and interviewer-administered questionnaires were used. EpiData 4.2 for data entry and SPSS 25 for cleaning and analysis were used. Variables with a p-value < 0.05 and 95% confidence interval (CI) corresponding adjusted odds ratio (AOR) were used to identify factors of ineffective breastfeeding techniques.

Results: The proportion of ineffective breastfeeding techniques was 66.8%. The mean (SD) age of mothers was 29.4 ± 5.95 years. No formal education [AOR: 5.88 (95% CI: (2.97, 11.65)], primipara [AOR: 4.34 (95% CI: 2.25, 8.36)], home delivery [AOR: 3.02 (95% CI: 1.12, 8.14)], not received breastfeeding counseling during antenatal care [AOR: 4.94 (95% CI: 1.83, 13.36)], breast problem [AOR: 2.62 (95% CI: 1.25, 5.48)], and breastfeeding experience [AOR: 1.82 (95% CI: 1.01, 3.28)] were statistically significant factors.

Conclusions: The proportion of ineffective breastfeeding techniques 66.8% was unacceptable. Socio-demographic and maternal health care services were identified factors. Strengthening maternal care, improving health education and promotions, and designing appropriate strategies were required.

Keywords: Breastfeeding; Ethiopia; Sinan Woreda; mothers; techniques.