Factors influencing early initiation of breastfeeding among mothers in Rajshahi district, Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: Early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF) act as the first immunization for the newborns, fortify their immune defense system and eventually reduce the mortality rate. This study aimed to identify the influential factors of EIBF among mothers in Rajshahi district, Bangladesh.Methods: A total number of 421 mothers living in Rajshahi district who had at least one child aged 6-24 months were considered as sample. Mothers were selected using multistage random sampling. This study was conducted from January to March, 2019. The EIBF was measured by a principal question, “Did you provide your breast milk to your newborns within one hour after delivery?” Frequency distribution and Chi-square test and multivariable binary logistic regression model were utilized in this study for getting prevalence and influential factors of EIBF respectively. Results: This study revealed that the prevalence of EIBF among mothers in Rajshahi district was 88.4%. Multivariable logistic model provided eight influential factors of EIBF: (i) husbands’ education level, (ii) husbands’ occupation, (iii) family monthly income, (iv) mothers’ age, (v) mothers’ BMI, (vi) place of delivery, (vii) getting pregnancy with planning, and (viii) mothers taking advice regarding the benefit of breastfeeding during their pregnancy. Conclusions: This study identified several modifiable influential factors of EIBF. The customs, culture and other characteristics are almost the same across the country. These factors could be considered to increase the rate of EIBF among mothers in Bangladesh.

Child Feeding Practices of Childbearing Mothers and Their Household Food Insecurity in a Coastal Region of Bangladesh

“…27 Another study in the Rajshahi area of Bangladesh found that the prevalence of early breastfeeding beginning was 88.4%, which is remarkably similar to our findings due to the similar sociodemographic profile. 28 Alternatively, a lower rate of moms initiating nursing early and offering breast milk to their child immediately after delivery was observed in various areas of the country, with only 46.9% doing so in Jessore district. 26 The prevalence of EBF (early breast feeding) in this study was below medium range, which is in line with findings of other studies in Bangladesh.…”