Optimal Breastfeeding Practice and Associated Factors Among Employee Mothers in Central Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Breastfeeding has significant short- and long-term medical and neurodevelopmental advantages. It is the most widely recognized and effective intervention for preventing early childhood deaths. However, there is limited evidence regarding optimal breastfeeding practices among employed mothers in Tigray specifically and Ethiopia more generally. Therefore, this study was conducted to estimate optimal breastfeeding practices and associated factors among employed mothers working in public institutions in Aksum town.

Methods: A cross-sectional study design was conducted among employed mothers in public institutions of Aksum town from May 1 to 30, 2018. A structured questionnaire was administered to collect data, which was then coded, cleaned, entered, and analyzed using Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) version 21. Results were presented using tables and charts. Descriptive statistics such as percentages, means, and standard deviations (SD) were computed. Binary and multiple logistic regression models examined associations between dependent and independent variables. Associations were considered statistically significant within a 95% confidence interval and P values less than or equal to 0.05.

Result: A total of 114 participants were included in the analysis. The mean age of the mothers and their children was 28.3(SD ± 4.4) years and 12.2 (SD ± 5.9) months, respectively. The study showed that the overall optimal breastfeeding practice was 54.4%. Teachers and accountants had reduced odds of practicing optimal breastfeeding compared to health professionals (AOR = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.06, 0.99; P = 0.049) and (AOR = 0.17, 95% CI: 0.04, 0.70; P = 0.015), respectively. Additionally, mothers who lacked supervisory support to breastfeed at their workplace had lower odds of optimal breastfeeding practice compared to those supported by supervisors (AOR = 0.17, 95% CI: 0.06, 0.46; P = 0.000).

Conclusion: The breastfeeding practices among employee mothers in our study were low. Factors associated with breastfeeding practices included the mother's occupation and lack of supervisor support at the workplace for breastfeeding.