Determinants of Delayed Initiation of Breastfeeding in Rural Ethiopia

Promoting immediate breastfeeding after birth of newborns and exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) up to 6 months of age in early infancy is regarded as crucial components of child survival strategies as it could reduce child mortality up to 13%.  Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the strength of association adjusted for the confounding effects of all the selected exposure to determinants in relation to the health system, particularly ante-natal care and delivery, and number of pregnancies.  A data set from three cross-sectional surveys conducted in 2003-2004 in three regions in Ethiopia was used.  Women having children below 12 months (2 084) were selected for the analysis.

The analysis shows that 42% of newborn had delayed initiation of breastfeeding after the first hour of birth. There is no significant association between the number of ANC visits and delayed initiation.  Although result does not seem to be statistically significant, the provision of breastfeeding information is negatively associated with delayed initiation after having adjusted for other risk factors (p=0.07). This implies that amongst mothers who have received breastfeeding information, the odds of delayed initiation are 44% less than those who have not. The impact of delivery attendants on delayed initiation was significant (p-values between 0.02 and 0.05) in multivariate analysis. When Traditional Birth Attendants assisted delivery the odds of delayed initiation nearly reached 70% (p=0.03) less than when the delivery was assisted by health professionals. When attended by family members, the odds of delayed initiation was 76% less (p=0.02). In multivariate analysis, primigravidas did not appear to have significant influence.  Information during pregnancy and health professionals attendance to delivery have shown to be important risk factors increasing the risk of delayed initiation whereas delivery attended by TBA or family/friends and home birth appeared to be protective factors of delayed initiation of breastfeeding.