Background
Breastfeeding is among the best and effective ways to promote optimal development of children in early childhood and maternal health. Recent estimates suggested that optimal breastfeeding could prevent around 12% of deaths in under-5 children every year, representing around 800,000 lives in low- and middle-income countries.
Objectives
The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of optimal breastfeeding practice and associated factors among mothers of children 24–36 months of age in Tehuledere District, North East Ethiopia, 2020.
Methods
A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 522 mothers of children 24–36 months of age from March 01–26/2020.Multistage sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Interviewer administered structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the study participants. Data were entered using epi data version 3.1 and analyzed by using SPSS version 20.0. Binary logistic regression analysis was computed.
Results
The prevalence of optimal breastfeeding was 44.3%.Access to media (AOR = 2.547[95% CI = 1.203, 5.395]), having male child (AOR = 2.697[95% CI = 1.492, 4.874]), child birth weight < 2.5kg (AOR = 4.864[95% CI = 1.240, 19.080]) and 1–3 times antenatal care(ANC) visits (AOR = .282[95% CI = .154, .518]) were the factors significantly associated with optimal breast feeding practice.
Conclusions and Recommendations
In this study, the prevalence of optimal breastfeeding practice was low. Access to media, sex of the child, weight of the child and number antenatal care visits were significantly associated. Therefore, enhancing the access to information on optimal breast feeding, minimizing sex preference in child care and strengthening focused ANC by health professionals, district health offices and partners is important in order to improve optimal breastfeeding practice.