Main Article Content
Effect of prenatal education on breastfeeding initiation and exclusive breast feeding rate in selected health institutions of Hawassa city, the capital of Snnpr , Ethiopia.
Abstract
Background: The prevalence of breastfeeding initiation and exclusive breastfeeding is low globally in both developing and developed countries despite the promotion interventions on breastfeeding rates in early infancy. In Ethiopia, the proportion of women who practiced early breastfeeding initiation (EBI) and exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) were 69% and 49% which fall short of the world health organization (WHO) guidelines and the health sector development program IV (HSDP IV) target.
Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the effect of prenatal breast feeding education on early breastfeeding initiation and exclusive breast feeding rate in selected health institutions of Hawassa city from January to September 2012.
Methodology: A quasi experimental study design was conducted among pregnant women with a gestational age of >32 weeks in purposively selected health institutions of Hawassa city. All eligible women were placed alternatively into intervention (n=117) and control (n=117) group. The intervention group received one educational session prenatally which lasts for 20 minutes and control group did not receive any intervention. Data was collected through interviewer-administered questionnaires at pre-intervention and at 1st, 2nd and 3rd month postnatal.
Results: The proportion of mothers who practiced timely breastfeeding initiation was greater in the intervention than the control group. Nevertheless, the differences noted between the groups were not significant (77.7% VS 69.9%, p=0.19). Home delivery (AOR=0.02; 95%CI= 0.00 to 0.04) and caesarian section (C/S) delivery (AOR=0.01; 95%CI=0.00 to 0.04) were negative predictors of timely breastfeeding initiation. With regard to EBF at 3 month, the proportion of women who practiced EBF was significantly higher in the intervention group than the control group (72.3% VS 59.3%, p=0.04). Spontaneous vaginal delivery (SVD) (AOR=3.67; 95%CI= 1.63 to 8.26) and prenatal breastfeeding education (AOR=2.16; 95%CI=1.19 to 3.94) were positive predictors of EBF at three month.
Conclusion: The study showed that prenatal education brought some changes in the timely breastfeeding initiation among mothers. Furthermore; it was very effective at increasing EBF percentage among women in the intervention group. Home delivery and C/S delivery were negative predictors of timely breastfeeding initiation. SVD and prenatal breastfeeding education were positive predictors of EBF at three month. Encouraging pregnant women to deliver in health institution, giving particular attention to mothers who have caesarean section to breastfeed their infants as soon as possible and educating mothers about EBF more intensively is recommended.
Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the effect of prenatal breast feeding education on early breastfeeding initiation and exclusive breast feeding rate in selected health institutions of Hawassa city from January to September 2012.
Methodology: A quasi experimental study design was conducted among pregnant women with a gestational age of >32 weeks in purposively selected health institutions of Hawassa city. All eligible women were placed alternatively into intervention (n=117) and control (n=117) group. The intervention group received one educational session prenatally which lasts for 20 minutes and control group did not receive any intervention. Data was collected through interviewer-administered questionnaires at pre-intervention and at 1st, 2nd and 3rd month postnatal.
Results: The proportion of mothers who practiced timely breastfeeding initiation was greater in the intervention than the control group. Nevertheless, the differences noted between the groups were not significant (77.7% VS 69.9%, p=0.19). Home delivery (AOR=0.02; 95%CI= 0.00 to 0.04) and caesarian section (C/S) delivery (AOR=0.01; 95%CI=0.00 to 0.04) were negative predictors of timely breastfeeding initiation. With regard to EBF at 3 month, the proportion of women who practiced EBF was significantly higher in the intervention group than the control group (72.3% VS 59.3%, p=0.04). Spontaneous vaginal delivery (SVD) (AOR=3.67; 95%CI= 1.63 to 8.26) and prenatal breastfeeding education (AOR=2.16; 95%CI=1.19 to 3.94) were positive predictors of EBF at three month.
Conclusion: The study showed that prenatal education brought some changes in the timely breastfeeding initiation among mothers. Furthermore; it was very effective at increasing EBF percentage among women in the intervention group. Home delivery and C/S delivery were negative predictors of timely breastfeeding initiation. SVD and prenatal breastfeeding education were positive predictors of EBF at three month. Encouraging pregnant women to deliver in health institution, giving particular attention to mothers who have caesarean section to breastfeed their infants as soon as possible and educating mothers about EBF more intensively is recommended.
