Socioecological predictors of breastfeeding practices in rural eastern Ethiopia
Abstract Background Estimates by the World Health Organization indicate that over 800,000 global neonatal deaths each year are attributed to deviations from recommended best practices in infant feeding. Identifying factors promoting ideal breastfeeding practices may facilitate efforts to decrease ne...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-12-01
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| Series: | International Breastfeeding Journal |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-022-00531-3 |
| _version_ | 1797973491833634816 |
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| author | Marina Magalhães Amanda Ojeda Karah Mechlowitz Kaitlin Brittain Jenna Daniel Kedir Teji Roba Jemal Yousuf Hassen Mark J. Manary Wondwossen A. Gebreyes Arie H. Havelaar Sarah L. McKune |
| author_facet | Marina Magalhães Amanda Ojeda Karah Mechlowitz Kaitlin Brittain Jenna Daniel Kedir Teji Roba Jemal Yousuf Hassen Mark J. Manary Wondwossen A. Gebreyes Arie H. Havelaar Sarah L. McKune |
| author_sort | Marina Magalhães |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Estimates by the World Health Organization indicate that over 800,000 global neonatal deaths each year are attributed to deviations from recommended best practices in infant feeding. Identifying factors promoting ideal breastfeeding practices may facilitate efforts to decrease neonatal and infant death rates and progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals set for 2030. Though numerous studies have identified the benefits of breastfeeding in reducing the risk of childhood undernutrition, infection and illness, and mortality in low- and middle-income countries, no studies have explored predictors of breastfeeding practices in rural eastern Ethiopia, where undernutrition is widespread. The aim of this study is to examine predictors of infant feeding practices in Haramaya, Ethiopia, using a multi-level conceptual framework. Methods This study uses data collected from household questionnaires during the Campylobacter Genomics and Environmental Enteric Dysfunction (CAGED) project among 102 households in the Haramaya woreda, Eastern Hararghe Zone, Eastern Ethiopia, and investigates factors influencing breastfeeding practices: early initiation, prelacteal feeding, and untimely complementary feeding. Results Nearly half (47.9%) of infants in this study were non-exclusively breastfed (n = 96). Generalized liner mixed effects models of breastfeeding practices revealed that prelacteal feeding may be a common practice in the region (43.9%, n = 98) and characterized by gender differences (p = .03). No factors evaluated were statistically significantly predictive of early initiation and untimely complementary feeding (82% and 14%, respectively). Severely food insecure mothers had more than 72% lower odds of early breastfeeding initiation, and participants who self-reported as being illiterate had 1.53 times greater odds of untimely complementary feeding (95% CI, [0.30,7.69]) followed by male children having 1.45 greater odds of being untimely complementary fed compared to female (95% CI,[0.40,5.37]). Conclusions This study found high rates of prelacteal feeding and low prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding, with girls more likely to be exclusively breastfed. While no predictors evaluated in this multi-level framework were associated with prevalence of early initiation or complementary feeding, rates may be clinically meaningful in a region burdened by undernutrition. Findings raise questions about gendered breastfeeding norms, the under-examined role of khat consumption on infant feeding, and the complex factors that affect breastfeeding practices in this region. This information may be used to guide future research questions and inform intervention strategies. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T04:04:34Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d8a6d0d1c95948caade12922ea27bbd9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1746-4358 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T04:04:34Z |
| publishDate | 2022-12-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Breastfeeding Journal |
| spelling | doaj.art-d8a6d0d1c95948caade12922ea27bbd92023-01-01T12:28:34ZengBMCInternational Breastfeeding Journal1746-43582022-12-0117111210.1186/s13006-022-00531-3Socioecological predictors of breastfeeding practices in rural eastern EthiopiaMarina Magalhães0Amanda Ojeda1Karah Mechlowitz2Kaitlin Brittain3Jenna Daniel4Kedir Teji Roba5Jemal Yousuf Hassen6Mark J. Manary7Wondwossen A. Gebreyes8Arie H. Havelaar9Sarah L. McKune10Department of Biobehavioral Nursing Science, College of Nursing, University of FloridaDepartment of Animal Sciences, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of FloridaDepartment of Environmental and Global Health, College of Public Health, University of FloridaDepartment of Environmental and Global Health, College of Public Health, University of FloridaDepartment of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory UniversitySchool of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya UniversityDepartment of Rural Development and Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Haramaya UniversityDepartment of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Washington UniversityGlobal One Health Initiative, The Ohio State UniversityDepartment of Animal Sciences, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of FloridaDepartment of Environmental and Global Health, College of Public Health, University of FloridaAbstract Background Estimates by the World Health Organization indicate that over 800,000 global neonatal deaths each year are attributed to deviations from recommended best practices in infant feeding. Identifying factors promoting ideal breastfeeding practices may facilitate efforts to decrease neonatal and infant death rates and progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals set for 2030. Though numerous studies have identified the benefits of breastfeeding in reducing the risk of childhood undernutrition, infection and illness, and mortality in low- and middle-income countries, no studies have explored predictors of breastfeeding practices in rural eastern Ethiopia, where undernutrition is widespread. The aim of this study is to examine predictors of infant feeding practices in Haramaya, Ethiopia, using a multi-level conceptual framework. Methods This study uses data collected from household questionnaires during the Campylobacter Genomics and Environmental Enteric Dysfunction (CAGED) project among 102 households in the Haramaya woreda, Eastern Hararghe Zone, Eastern Ethiopia, and investigates factors influencing breastfeeding practices: early initiation, prelacteal feeding, and untimely complementary feeding. Results Nearly half (47.9%) of infants in this study were non-exclusively breastfed (n = 96). Generalized liner mixed effects models of breastfeeding practices revealed that prelacteal feeding may be a common practice in the region (43.9%, n = 98) and characterized by gender differences (p = .03). No factors evaluated were statistically significantly predictive of early initiation and untimely complementary feeding (82% and 14%, respectively). Severely food insecure mothers had more than 72% lower odds of early breastfeeding initiation, and participants who self-reported as being illiterate had 1.53 times greater odds of untimely complementary feeding (95% CI, [0.30,7.69]) followed by male children having 1.45 greater odds of being untimely complementary fed compared to female (95% CI,[0.40,5.37]). Conclusions This study found high rates of prelacteal feeding and low prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding, with girls more likely to be exclusively breastfed. While no predictors evaluated in this multi-level framework were associated with prevalence of early initiation or complementary feeding, rates may be clinically meaningful in a region burdened by undernutrition. Findings raise questions about gendered breastfeeding norms, the under-examined role of khat consumption on infant feeding, and the complex factors that affect breastfeeding practices in this region. This information may be used to guide future research questions and inform intervention strategies.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-022-00531-3BreastfeedingInfant feedingNutritionMaternal child healthEthiopia |
| spellingShingle | Marina Magalhães Amanda Ojeda Karah Mechlowitz Kaitlin Brittain Jenna Daniel Kedir Teji Roba Jemal Yousuf Hassen Mark J. Manary Wondwossen A. Gebreyes Arie H. Havelaar Sarah L. McKune Socioecological predictors of breastfeeding practices in rural eastern Ethiopia International Breastfeeding Journal Breastfeeding Infant feeding Nutrition Maternal child health Ethiopia |
| title | Socioecological predictors of breastfeeding practices in rural eastern Ethiopia |
| title_full | Socioecological predictors of breastfeeding practices in rural eastern Ethiopia |
| title_fullStr | Socioecological predictors of breastfeeding practices in rural eastern Ethiopia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Socioecological predictors of breastfeeding practices in rural eastern Ethiopia |
| title_short | Socioecological predictors of breastfeeding practices in rural eastern Ethiopia |
| title_sort | socioecological predictors of breastfeeding practices in rural eastern ethiopia |
| topic | Breastfeeding Infant feeding Nutrition Maternal child health Ethiopia |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-022-00531-3 |
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