Suboptimal Breast Feeding and Associated Factors Among Mothers of Children Less Than Six Months in Hargiesa City, Southwest Somaliland

Abstract

Introduction: Information on Sub optimal breast feeding practices are limited in Somaliland, although it is believed that they help design and implement interventions that enhance Sub optimal breast feeding and make the best use of its benefits for both the mother and the child. This study assessed the prevalence of sub optimal breastfeeding and associated factors during the first six months of infant life in Hargiesa City, Somaliland.

Methods: Community based Cross-sectional study design was used. Data on infant feeding practice were collected from 634  randomly selected mothers of infants aged under 6 months from March to April 2016 by trained interviewers using a pre tested structured questionnaire.  Data entry and analysis were done using Epi info version 3.5.1 and SPSS version 20.0 statistical soft-wares respectively. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were employed.

Result: Total of 607 women agreed to be involved in the study making response rate 95.7%. The prevalence suboptimal breastfeeding was 29.8% and 70.2% of the mothers initiated the breast feeding within one hour after the delivery.  Mothers from high income households, educational status of above secondary level and who attended antenatal and postnatal care were more likely to practice optimal breast feeding of their children.

Conclusion and Recommendation: The prevalence of optimal breast feeding is low in Hargiesa city, Somali land. Higher income, education and maternal service utilization is positively associated with optimal breast feeding practice. Efforts should be in place in areas like women education, improved maternal health services and education and awareness creation on optimal breast feeding in Somaliland.

Keywords: Suboptimal, Breast feeding, Hargiesa city, Somali land.