Abstract:
Background: Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for the first six months of life is a globally
recommended practice due to its profound benefits for infant and maternal health. However,
adherence to EBF varies significantly across different cultural and socioeconomic contexts.
Thus this study aims to access the prevalence and factors associated with early cessation of
EBF in a pastoralist community.
Objective: To assess the prevalence of early cessation of exclusive breastfeeding and
identify associated factors among mothers of children aged 6-24 months in Benatsemay
Woreda, Southern Ethiopia, 2024.
Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study design mixed with a qualitative study
was used to collect data among 633 mothers of children aged 6-24 months through pretested
structured questionnaire and FGDs. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses
for quantitative data and thematic analysis for qualitative data were carried out to triangulate
the findings. An odds ratio with 95% CI was used to measure the strength of the association.
Statistical significance was declared at a p-value of <0.05.
Results and Discussion: The prevalence of early cessation of exclusive breastfeeding was
42.7% with a 95%CI (38.84, 46.55). This study found higher maternal education (primary:
AOR=0.4, 95%CI:0.20-0.72; high school & above: AOR=0.44, 95% CI:0.2-0.91), child
birth order (second: AOR=0.4,95%CI: 0.19-0.63; third: AOR=0.4,95%CI:0.19-0.69; fourth+:
AOR=0.2, 95% CI:0.1-0.34), not receiving antenatal (AOR=2.0, 95% CI:1.25-3.10) and not
postnatal (AOR=2.1,95%CI:1.35-3.27) care counseling on EBF, poor knowledge
(AOR=5.58,95%CI:3.36-9.29),and a negative attitude towards EBF (AOR=1.7, 95%CI:1.01
2.70),
no
religious affiliation (AOR=6,95%CI:3.13-11.42), experiencing moderate
(AOR=4,95%CI:2.0-7.69) and severe food insecurity (AOR=4.7,95%CI:2.6-8.51), and
problems (AOR=1.9,95% CI:1.03-3.30 were factors associated with early cessation EBF.
Conclusion and recommendation: The study revealed high prevalence of EBF cessation in
the study area compared to most studies in Ethiopia and elsewhere. Efforts enhancing
maternal education, strengthening EBF counseling during antenatal and postnatal care,
improving community knowledge and attitudes towards EBF, providing support for
breastfeeding challenges, considering the influence of cultural and traditional practices, and
addressing household food insecurity were recommended.
