Abstract:
Background: Despite global efforts to promote breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding rates among infants under six months remain low. Breastfeeding is crucial for maternal and child health, as it improves infant growth and reduces the risk of illness and mortality. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence and factors associated with early termination of breastfeeding among mothers attending a pediatrics outpatient department (OPD) in Asella Teaching and Referral Hospital, Ethiopia.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 311 mothers attending the pediatrics OPD with children under two years of age. Data was collected through interviews, and was checked for completeness and entered in to Epi Info version 7 then analyzed using SPSS version 25. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors associated with early breastfeeding termination. Independent variables with p - value < 0.05 were declared as statistically significant.
Result: Three hundred eleven mothers from Asella Teaching and Referral Hospital have participated in this study. About 47% (147) mothers terminate breast feeding at less than 24 months. Mode of delivery, (AOR = 0.05, 95% CI: (0.007 – 0.35)), artificial milk use, (AOR = 29.9, 95% CI: (4.3 – 207.8)), time to complementary feeding start, ((AOR = 0.02, 95% CI: (0.001 – 0.391)), pacifier use, (AOR = 9.57 ,95% CI: (1.78 – 51.25)), low milk quantity, (AOR = 8.75, 95% CI: (1.46 – 52.51)), number of ANC visit (AOR = 14.91, 95% CI: (2.45 – 90.54)), breastfeeding council during ANC, (AOR = 0.11, 95% CI: (0.017 – 0.76)), breast-related problem after birth, (AOR = 182 ,95% CI: (6.6 - 4982)), PNC follow up, (AOR = 0.02, 95% CI: (0.001 – 0.35)), and lack of a breastfeeding place at the workplace, (AOR = 0.01, 95% CI; (0.001 – 0.074)) were statistically significant identified factor.
Conclusion: Early breastfeeding termination is a significant public health concern that is influenced by various factors, including mode of delivery, artificial milk use, feeding practices, and maternal support systems. Interventions aimed at addressing these factors are necessary to promote exclusive breastfeeding and improve maternal and child health outcomes.
