Factors influencing high socio-economic class mothers’ decision regarding formula-feeding practices in the Cape Metropole

Barriers and enablers to exclusive breastfeeding by mothers in Polokwane, South Africa

Background

Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for six months, with the introduction of appropriate complementary feeding thereafter, and breastfeeding continuing for up to 2 years and beyond, is highly recommended. This could save the lives of up to 1.4 million children each year worldwide. Despite this, breastfeeding rates in South Africa remain sub-optimal, with the recommended target of 50% by the World Health Assembly (WHA) not being achieved. The study aimed to investigate the reasons influencing mothers' practice of exclusive breastfeeding in the Polokwane municipality of Limpopo province in South Africa.

Methodology

A cross-sectional health facility-based quantitative and descriptive survey was conducted using a validated-structured questionnaire administered to 146 mothers. The data was analyzed using STATA. Chi-square tests were used to determine the relationship between selected demographic variables and their reasons not to breastfeed exclusively.

Results

Although 94% of the mothers had initiated breastfeeding, at the time of data collection 8% had stopped. Of those who had stopped breastfeeding, 5% did so within one month of starting. Thirty- nine percent of mothers' breastfed exclusively, while 61% practiced mixed feeding. A positive association between exclusive breastfeeding practices and the age of the mother were observed, with older mothers more likely to breastfeed. The reasons mothers stopped breastfeeding were: the mother was ill (45%) or they returned to school or work (27%). Reasons for not breastfeeding were cited as: medical conditions, not enough milk, and infant refusal to breastfeed (33%). Mothers believe that HIV-positive women should breastfeed their infants (57%), and health workers were found to be the main source of HIV information to mothers (77%).

Discussion

Exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months was less practiced. Infant formula and solid foods were introduced at an early age, usually within the first month of breastfeeding. This study sheds light on factors influencing the early initiation of breastfeeding and the practice of EBF as practiced in Polokwane.

Exclusive breastfeeding and maternal employment among mothers of infants from three to five months old in the Fafan zone, Somali regional state of Ethiopia: a comparative cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Lack of exclusive breastfeeding is the most important risk factor for infant and young child morbidity and mortality. A better understanding of the factors that influence EBF is important in order to promote appropriate infant feeding practices. The return to work due to short maternity leave time may hinder employed mothers from breastfeeding their infants exclusively for the recommended six months duration.

METHODS

A community based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from January to February 2016 in the Fafan zone, of the Somali Regional State, of Ethiopia. A total of 558 mothers with infants from ages 3-5 months, living in the five districts (Jigjiga city, Kebribeyah town, Aubere town, Bombas town and Babile) were included in the analysis. Logistic regression models were used to examine the effect of maternal employment on EBF practice.

RESULTS

This study has demonstrated a 24.8 and 82.9% prevalence of EBF practices among employed and unemployed mothers of index infants of 3-5 months respectively in the 24 h preceding the survey. Unemployed mothers were accounted for thusly: [Adjusted OR = 26.5; 95% CI (13.6, 51.6). Other adjustments included monthly income of 500-2000 birr [Adjusted OR = 2.7; 95% CI (1.4, 5.2)]; monthly income of 2001-3500 birr [Adjusted OR = 2.2; 95% CI (1.2, 4.0)]; timely initiation of breastfeeding [Adjusted OR = 2.6; 95% CI (1.4, 4.8)]; maternal education (secondary and higher) [Adjusted OR = 3.8; 95% CI (1.5, 9.5)]; having an index infant aged 3 months [Adjusted OR = 2.2; 95% CI (1.2, 4.1)], and having an index infant aged 4 months [Adjusted OR = 2.2; 95% CI (1.2, 3.8)] were found to be significantly associated with exclusive breastfeeding practice.

CONCLUSION

Exclusive breastfeeding practices were very low among mothers employed in governmental and non-governmental organizations in the study area. Therefore, maternal employment may be hindering Exclusive breastfeeding practices. Thus, establishing breastfeeding-friendly working environment; and Information, Education and Communication programs should be provided, particularly for working mothers to promote exclusive breastfeeding practices.

Exclusive breastfeeding practice and associated factors among mothers in Motta town, East Gojjam zone, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia, 2015: a cross-sectional study

Background

Exclusive breastfeeding means babies are given only breast milk and nothing else: no other milk, food, drink, not even water for one day (24 hrs) before the survey was conducted. It prevents 13% of childhood mortality; i.e, at least 1.2 million children worldwide would be saved every year. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) practice and its associated factor among mothers who have infants less than six months of age in Motta town, East Gojjam, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia.

Method

A community based quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted from April 7, 2015 to May 7, 2015. A simple random sampling technique was applied after taking all registered mothers who have infants less than six months old from local health extension workers of each kebele. A total of 423 mothers with infant less than six months old were included in this study.

The data was collected using an interviewer administered questioaire. Both bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding practice.

Result

Prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding was 50.1%. Mothers with young infants aged 0-1 month (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] 3.86: (1.64, 9.07), unemployed mothers (AOR 3.01: 1.46, 6.20), low income mothers (AOR 3.61: 1.75, 7.45), mothers who received breastfeeding counseling in pregnancy (AOR 2.76: 1.52, 4.99), fed colostrum (AOR 3.50: 1.45, 8.45), didn't give prelacteal feeds (AOR 4.48: 1.82, 11.03) and were supported by their husband (AOR 2.67: 1.04, 6.95) were more likely to practice exclusive breastfeeding than their counterparts.

Conclusions

Prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding practice in study area was lower than country recommended level. Age of the child, maternal occupation, income, breastfeeding counseling during antenatal care, husband support of breastfeeding and colostrum feeding were independent predictors of exclusive breastfeeding practice. Recommendations to increase exclusive breastfeeding practice are revising postpartum maternity leave, increasing health professional's habit of breastfeeding counseling through training, involving husbands during counseling, educating mothers and the community as a whole to avoid traditional practices that hinder exclusive breastfeeding up to six months.