Exclusive breastfeeding cessation and associated factors among employed mothers in Dukem town, Central Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Employed women tend to exclusively breastfeed less than non-employed women. Early returning to work has been major reason why employed women stop exclusive breastfeeding. The aim of this study was to investigate exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) cessation and associated factors among employed mothers in Dukem town, Central Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from February to March 2015 using total sample of 313 randomly selected permanently employed women. Information regarding participants' work-related factors, health service and sociodemographic factors were collected by face to face interview using structured questionnaire. Data were checked for completeness, entered and analyzed by SPSS version 20. Binary logistic regression was done to identify factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding cessation. The strength of association was measured using odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals. Results: Prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding cessation was 75.7% (95% CI 71.0, 80.5%). Having a short duration of maternity leave (AOR 9.3; 95% CI 3.8, 23), being a full time employee (AOR 3.5; 95% CI 1.7, 11), being private organization employee (AOR=2.1, 95% CI(1, 4.3)), lack of flexible work time (AOR 3.0; 95% CI 1.2, 7.5), not pumping breast milk (AOR 4.3; 95% CI 1.7, 11), lack of a lactation break (AOR 6.7; 95% CI 3,14.5) and work place far away from her child (AOR 3.1; 95% CI 3.1, 6.3), were significantly associated with cessation of EBF among employed mothers. Conclusion: Prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding cessation was much higher than the international and national expectation. The concerned governmental bodies should consider improving the legislation of the 3 months postpartum maternity leave to reduce employed mother's exclusive breastfeeding cessation.

Higher educational and economic status are key factors for the timely initiation of breastfeeding in Ethiopia: A review and meta‐analysis

“…3 In total, 1.45 million of childhood deaths in low-and middleincome countries could be attributed to suboptimal breastfeeding. 4,5 According to the 2019 Ethiopian Mini Demographic Health Survey (EmDHS) report, which is done from 2015 to 2019, the neonatal mortality in Ethiopia is estimated at 30 deaths per 1000 live births and constitutes over half of the under 5 mortality rate of 55 per 1000 live births. 6 Global initiatives have been made to improve the national and international breastfeeding practice, which can help to The Ethiopian government has endorsed and implemented these policies and programmes to reduce infant and child mortality and morbidity related to poor breastfeeding.…”

Os Benefícios Do Aleitamento Materno Para O Desenvolvimento Infantil / the Benefits of Breastfeeding for Child Development

“…Mas é somente na trigésima segunda semana de vida intrauterina que o feto passa apresentar reflexos de sucção (CASSIMIRO et al, 2019). (MESSIAS et al, 2019;KEBEDE et al, 2020). Este processo faz com que a criança crie hábitos deletérios que podem resultar em desequilíbrios psicológicos futuros.…”

Exclusive Breastfeeding Continuation and Associated Factors Among Employed Women in North Ethiopia: A Cross-sectional Study

“…Ethiopia (8), mothers who had no break time in between work were more likely to discontinue EBF as compared to those who had break. This would be because having breaks in between work might encourage women to continue EBF after they returned to work (23).…”

“…Availability of physical facilities and supportive work environment such as exibility of work and having supportive mangers encourage women to continue EBF (3,15). Kebede T. et al reported several factors that triggered EBF discontinuation including having a short duration of maternity leave, full time employment, working in private organizations, lack of exible working hours unable to express breast milk, lack of break to express breast milk and workplace being far away from the child (8). This study provides some useful insights into some of the barriers to EBF for employed women in Ethiopia; however, the ndings may not be generalisable to other areas of Ethiopia, as a very diverse country with different ethnicities and cultural expectations.…”