Optimal breastfeeding practice and associated factors amongst working mothers.

Abstract

Background: Employed women tend to practice breastfeeding less than non-employed women. However, little is known about working mothers’ views, experiences and barriers of breastfeeding practice from employment perspective. The objective of this study was to examine knowledge, attitude and practice about optimal breastfeeding and associated factors among working mothers in northern Ethiopia.
Methods: Cross-sectional study was carried out in July 2009. A total of 306 women were randomly selected and interviewed. Information regarding participants' demographics, biomedical and employment factors, and practice were collected. The analyses were done using binary logistic regression adjusted for potential confounders.
Results: The extent of knowledge and attitude towards breastfeeding was 70% and 75%, respectively. Exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months among employee mothers’ was 46%. Optimal breastfeeding practice among employees’ was only 35.6%. The logistic regression analysis showed that lower educational status of the mother (aOR = 0.25 ,95% CI = 0.07, 0.86) , lower household income (aOR=7.21,95%CI =1.42,36.56), little work experience (aOR = 0.38, 95%CI =0.21,0.69], cesarean delivery (aOR= 0.41,95% CI = 0.20,0.84), postnatal care visit (aOR =1.99, 95% CI = 1.13 ,3.51) and having good knowledge (aOR=6.98,95%CI= 3.68,13.24) were independently associated with optimal breastfeeding practice.
Conclusion: Working mothers had good knowledge and favorable attitude towards breastfeeding, but the optimal practice was low. Income, education, work experience, mode of delivery, postnatal visit, and knowledge are significant determinants of optimal breastfeeding practice. Promotion of breastfeeding at work place is needed to increase the rate of full breastfeeding.

Keywords: breastfeeding, employment, knowledge, attitude, practice