European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS FOR INITIATION OF INFANT FORMULA FEEDING AMONG MOTHER WHO ATTEND PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTIONS IN DIRE DAWA CITY, EASTERN ETHIOPIA

Imam Dagne*, Mesfin Kebede and Robel Mokonnen

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Breastfeeding for infants and young children provides the ideal food for healthy growth and development. Through direct and indirect campaign use of infant formula feeding increase worldwide. In Ethiopia it is not practiced. Thus, the aim of this study is to determine prevalence and associated factors for initiation of infant formula feeding among mothers attending in public health institutions of Dire Dawa town, Eastern Ethiopia. Methods: A health facility based, cross-sectional study design was used. With a sample size of 186 using interviewer administered questionnaire. Bivariate, multivariable logistic regression model were fitted and COR and AOR with 95% CI were computed to check the associations among the variables and to control the confounding factors. Results: The prevalence of initiation of infant formula feeding was 21.4 %. The main reason for initiation of infant formula feeding was mothers had no adequate breast milk. Evident factors that increase initiation of infant formula feeding were counselling during ANC follow up, mode of delivery, monthly family income, source of information. Conclusion: There is high prevalence of initiation of infant formula feeding among mothers attending public health institutions in Dire Dawa city. Lack of counselling regarding breast feeding during ANC follow up, delivery through caesarean section, increasing family income were associated with increased in initiation of infant formula feeding. Thus, design and implementation of community and facility based health education and government to consider adopting stricter regulations and enforcement for the marketing of infant formula which will help resolve the current increasing infant formula feeding prevalence in the city.

Keywords: breast feeding, initiation of breast feeding, Eastern Ethiopia.