Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Towards Exclusive Breastfeeding Among Lactating Mothers in Dinsho Woreda, Bale Zone, Oromia Region, South-East Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) involves feeding infant’s breast milk only for the first six months of life. It has numerous benefits, such as reducing the risk of infections and malnutrition, but it is still low in many parts of the world, including Ethiopia. Factors such as low maternal knowledge and awareness, inadequate support from healthcare providers, and lack of social support contribute to common EBF practices.Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers attending public health institutions in Dinsho Woreda, Bale Zone, Oromia Region, Southeast Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Dinsho Woreda from February 01 to April 1, 2022, involving 411 nursing women aged up to two years old. Data were gathered using an interview-based questionnaire and a systematic random sampling technique. Statistical Package for Social Sciences software was used to analyze the data. Results: The study participants were 90.7 percent knowledgeable and had 348 (87.2 %) of our study participants were positive attitude towards EBF, but their practice was low; 222 (55.6%) of our contributors practiced EBF. Conclusion: The majority of mothers had good knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding, colostrum content, its advantages, and positive attitudes towards it. ANC follow-up, attitude towards EBF, and delivery at health facilities were independent predictors of exclusive breastfeeding practices. Recommendation: Health extension workers, health institutions, and the media must provide health education and support for working mothers to encourage exclusive breastfeeding.

Keywords: exclusive breast feeding, knowledge, attitude and practice.

DOI: 10.7176/IKM/13-4-02

Publication date:July 31^st 2023