TIMELY INITIATION OF BREAST FEEDING AND ITS ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG MOTHERS WHO GAVE BIRTH BY CESAREAN SECTION IN WOLIATA ZONE, SOUTH ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Background: Timely initiation of breastfeeding is crucial for the health and well-being of both mothers and their infants, as it is linked to numerous benefits, including a decreased risk of neonatal mortality. Despite its importance, there is limited evidence regarding the timely initiation of breastfeeding and the factors influencing it among mothers who have undergone cesarean sections in Ethiopia. Objective: To assess the magnitude of timely initiation of breastfeeding and its associated factors among mothers who gave birth by cesarean section at public hospitals of Wolaita zones in South, Ethiopia from July 15 to September 10, 2024. Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 413 women give birth by Cesarean section selected public hospitals of Wolaita zone from July 15 to, September 10 2024. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select the study participant’s data were collected by using an interviewer-administered questionnaire and observation checklist, entered into Epi Data 4.7, and exported to statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 25 Logistic regression was fitted to examine the association between explanatory variables and the timely initiation of breastfeeding. In multivariable logistic regression, AOR with 95% CI was reported, and p<0.05 was used to declare statistically significant variables with the outcome. Result: A total of 413 mothers were participated in this study the prevalence of timely initiation of breast feeding was 49.4% [CI 95 %( 44.5, 54.3)] counseling during antenatal care [AOR 2.53, 95% CI: (1.41, 4.54)]. The mother who had elective or planned cesarean section [AOR 5.09, 95% CI: (1.43, 18.11)], women had receiving support and guidance from health care providers [AOR 2.58, 95% CI: (1.41, 4.74)]. Mothers who had in early skin-to-skin contact [AOR 4.47, 95% CI: (2.54, 7.85)] receiving counseling immediately after delivery [AOR: 3.62, 95% CI: (1.98, 6.63)] and being male [AOR 0.542, 95% CI: (0.31, 0 .94)] were factors that contributed for the practice of timely initiation among cesarean section delivered. Conclusions: The prevalence of timely initiation of breastfeeding in the study area was found to be low. Several factors were identified as being associated with this issue, including counseling during antenatal care, the type of cesarean section performed, the support and guidance received from healthcare providers regarding timely breastfeeding initiation, early skin-to-skin contact, counseling on breastfeeding immediately after delivery, and the sex of the newborn.