Early initiation of breastfeeding, colostrum avoidance, and their associated factors among mothers with under one year old children in rural pastoralist communities of Afar, Northeast Ethiopia: a cross sectional study

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Gebretsadkan Gebremedhin Gebretsadik, Mekelle University; Helen Tkuwab, Mekelle University; Kidanemaryam Berhe, Mekelle University; Afework Mulugeta, Mekelle University; Hajira Mohammed, Emory University; Abebe Gebremariam, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2020-08-05
• Publisher: BioMed Central
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © The Author(s) 2020
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12884-020-03151-z
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
• Volume: 20
• Grant/Funding Information: The financial support for this study was from Emory University, Ethiopia.
• Keywords: Ethiopia; Pastoralist; Colostrum avoidance; EIBF
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Public Health; Health Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology

Abstract

Early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF) is defined as initiation of breastfeeding within 1 h of birth. This is also the time colostrum is secreted with its potential benefits. Globally, two out of five under 5 children die in the first month of life, more than a third of which being on the first day. Neonatal mortality is still a major health problem in Ethiopia. EIBF and colostrum feeding are associated with decreased neonatal morbidity and mortality. With this study, we aim to determine the magnitude and factors associated with EIBF and colostrum avoidance.