Colostrum Feeding Practice And Associated Factors Among Mothers Having Infants Of Less Than Six Months Attending Health Facilities In Woliso Town, Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Colostrums is the pre milk stuff, sticky, yellowish in color, highly nutritious and contains anti-infective substances. Colostrum feeding practice is not begun for newborns soon after delivery for different communal misunderstandings. Therefoere, this study is important to determine colostrum feeding practice and associated factors, to identify the gaps on colostrum feeding practice in the study area. Objective: To assess the magnitude of colostrum feeding practice and associated factors among mothers having infants of less than six months attending health facilities in Woliso town, Oromia, Ethiopia, 2022. Method: Institutional based cross sectional study design was conducted from April 1 st to May 31st , 2022, among 326 mothers of infants less than 6 months selected through a systematic random sampling technique. The data were collected using interviewer administered structured and pretested questionnaire. Data were summarized using descriptive analyses such as frequency, percentage, & mean (SD). Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression analysis employed to identify associated factors. Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with its 95% Confidence Interval (CI) was used to report an association. Statistically significance declared at p-value < 0.05 in the multivariable binary logistic regression. Results: A total of 325 breastfeeding mothers with infants younger than 6 months responded, making the response rate 99.7%.The overall magnitude of colostrum feeding practice among the study participants in the study area was 281 (86.5%) (CI: 82.8%, 90.5%). Being 15-24 years old (AOR=3.68, 95%CI: 1.10, 12.43), 25-34 years old (AOR=3.63, 95%CI: 1.47, 8.99), living in an urban area (AOR=2.59, 95%CI: 1.21, 5.22), receiving breast feeding counseling during an antenatal care visit (AOR=2.73, 95%CI: 1.10,6.97) and having a good knowledge about colostrum feeding (AOR=2.74, 95%CI: 1.12, 6.71) were factors that were significantly associated with colostrum feeding practice. Conclusion: The magnitude of colostrum feeding practice among mothers in the study area was relatively higher. The factors that were significantly associated with colostrum feeding practice were: being in the age groups of 15-24 years and of 25-34 years; residing in an urban area; and having good knowledge about colostrum feeding. Therefore, it is importatnt to focus on these factors to improve colostrum feeding practice in the study area. Key Words Colostrums feeding, Practice, associated factor, Woliso town, Oromia, Ethiopia