Abstract:
Background: Exclusive breastfeeding is defined as feeding infants only breast milk with no
addition of any liquid or solids. Evidence shows that sixty percent of under-five mortality
caused by malnutrition and more than two-thirds of those are associated with inappropriate
breast feeding practices during infancy. Studying additional factors beyond the common
determinants, such as those which are intrinsic to the mother like mental wellbeing or
depression has paramount importance which could give a better insight for promotive
activities.
Objective: to assess depression and other related factor that affecting exclusive breast feeding
practice for among lactating mothers in Assosa town.
Method: community based cross-sectional study was conducted from much 1 to April ,1 2019
Assosa town, west Ethiopia. A total of 484 mothers were recruited by a multi-stage simple
random sampling technique was applied. Data were collected through socio demographic,
socio cultural, place of delivery, maternal depression which were assess by scale by BDI. .
Bivariable logistic regression analyses were employed to identify associated variables and
multi-variable logistic regression analysis was employed to identify independent predictors of
exclusive breast feeding. All statistical tests were considered significant at p-value<0.05.
Result: The overall practices of exclusive breast-feeding were 58.2%. Women’s who had not
Depression were 3.9 (AOR95%CI (2.5,6.1) more likely to practice exclusive breast feeding
compare to those who had depression. Women’s who delivered at health facility were 4.1
(AOR95%CI(2.6,5.3) times more likely to practice exclusive breast feeding compare to those
who delivered at home. Women’s who had 3 and above children were
3.08(AOR95%CI(2.1,5.3) times more likely to practice exclusive breast feeding compare to
those who had less than 3 children.
Conclusion and recommendation: The study indicated higher level of suboptimal prevalence
of exclusive breast feeding, which is further predicted by maternal depression, place of delivery
and parity. Collaborative efforts have to be exerted at different levels, relevant stake holders,
health providers together and the community.
