Abstract:
Background: Early initiation of breastfeeding and continuation during at least the first 6 months of life is important for health promotion and child survival. Ethiopia and the WHO strongly promote and advocate the practice. However, data systematically showing initiation of breastfeeding within one hour among babies in the maternity wards in Ethiopia is sparse.
Objective: to determine the prevalence of early initiation of breastfeeding within the 1sthour postpartum and to investigate predictors of EIBF among mothers admitted to postnatal wards of Zewditu and Ghandi Memorial hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Method: a cross-sectional study with internal comparison was conducted involving all mothers admitted to the postnatal wards at Zewditu and Ghandi Memorial hospitals. Variables related to individual, group, and societal level factors affecting breastfeeding practices were collected. Data was obtained through interviews of mothers using a partially blinded, pretested questionnaire after which was converted to the kobo-toolbox, a software to collect data. It was supplemented by data obtained from a review of medical records such as infants' characteristics. The study was conducted 1stJanuary through 29th February, 2024.
Results: The breastfeeding within 1 hour after birth was 85% (95% CI: 83, 87; p.v < 0.05). Maternal age was significantly associated with EIBF: the odds of being age 26 through 35 years in those who initiated early breastfeeding were higher (AOR = 1.84[CI: 1.09, 3.12]), similarly, the odds of having a second or more previous babies (AOR = 4.01[CI: 2.29, 7.01]), the presence of partner's support (AOR = 5.14[CI: 2.90, 9.11), and putting babies on mother's breast by the health care provider (AOR = 10.09[CI: 4.36, 23.38]) were associated with EIBF.
Conclusion: Large proportion of mothers initiated early breastfeeding in Addis Ababa public Hospitals. The odds of initiating early were observed to be higher in mothers who were older in age, multiparous, and those who received support from their partners and healthcare providers.
Recommendation: Strengthening counseling for young and nulliparous mothers during antenatal care and encouraging partner support and health care providers during labor can further increase early breastfeeding initiation.