Abstract:
Background: Despite improvements in breastfeeding practice, there are fears of decline in certain
socio-demographic segments, especially among mothers in urban areas and of higher
socioeconomic status. Although many cross-sectional studies have been undertaken on
breastfeeding practices in Ethiopia, long-term trends have not been yet documented and literature
pertaining this is scarce.
Objective: To examine trends and factors associated with Breastfeeding practices using Ethiopia
Demographic and Health Survey: (2000-2011)
Methods: A cross-sectional study design was conducted using secondary data which was collected
from women 15-49 years from 2000 – 2011 Ethiopia Demographic Health Survey for trend and
the 2011 Ethiopia Demographic Health Survey to identify factors associated with breastfeeding
practices of mothers.STATA13 and SPSS version 23 were used for data analysis. A trend was
considered statistically significant if the p-value was ≤ 0.05. Logistic regression was used to
identify factors associated with breastfeeding practices. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals
were calculated. Results were presented using graphs, tables and narratives.
Result: Overall early initiation of breastfeeding has significantly increased by 2.4% and exclusive
breastfeeding by 12.9% but not significant. In 2011 early initiation of breastfeeding was 51.5%,
exclusive breastfeeding 51.6% and continuation 92.8%.Sex of child, wealth quantile, marital
status, mothers’ age, partners’ education, and caesarean delivery were found independent predictor
of early initiation of breastfeeding. Child sex, child age, wealth quantile and partners education are
significantly associate with exclusive breastfeeding. Continuation of breastfeeding was
significantly associated with child age, wealth quantile and mothers education.
Conclusion and recommendation: Trends in early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding showed
improvements whereas continuation of breastfeeding was stagnant .In 2011 Ethiopia Demographic
and Health Survey, early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding was good whereas continuation of
breastfeeding was very good with regard to World Health Organization recommendation. A
number of child and maternal attributes were noted to affect the rate of breastfeeding practices in
Ethiopia. More effort to address this public health problem through breastfeeding counselling,
together with supportive supervision and strengthening home visits to have sustained
recommended breastfeeding practices are of paramount importance
