Demographic Characteristics of the Participants
The age of the women was between 15 to 49 years. Findings revealed that, 39 (31.5%) age group ranging between 25-29 years were the most dominant group involved in the study compared to other age groups. Most were married 87 (70.2%), 87 (70.2%) study participants had one to two children. Also, findings showed that, 63 (50.8%) had primary school level of education and 56 (45.2%) were house wife. The demographic characteristics are further shown on the table 1.
Table 1: Socio demographic characteristics of respondents
Variable
|
Frequency
|
Percent (%)
|
Age group
15-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
|
|
8
|
6.5
|
|
35
|
28.2
|
|
39
|
31.5
|
|
25
|
20.2
|
|
11
|
8.9
|
|
6
|
4.8
|
|
0
|
0
|
Children number
1-2
3-4
5-6
|
|
87
|
70.2
|
|
31
|
25
|
|
6
|
4.8
|
Marital status
Single
Married
Cohabiting
Divorced
Widowed
Others
|
|
15
|
12.1
|
|
87
|
70.2
|
|
22
|
17.7
|
|
0
|
0
|
|
0
|
0
|
|
0
|
0
|
Occupational status
House wife
Peasant
Self employed
Employed
Student
Others
|
|
56
|
45.2
|
|
0
|
0
|
|
45
|
36.3
|
|
22
|
17.7
|
|
1
|
0.8
|
|
0
|
0
|
Level of education
No formal education
Primary education
Secondary education
College
Others
|
|
0
|
0
|
|
63
|
50.8
|
|
49
|
39.5
|
|
12
|
9.7
|
|
0
|
0
|
Knowledge on Exclusive Breastfeeding
Majority of the respondents 97 (78.2%) know the meaning of exclusive breastfeeding which is giving baby only breast milk without any food or drink with exception of prescribed medicines. Whereas, 118 (95.2%) of respondents knew the exact recommended duration of exclusive breastfeeding. 119 (96%) of the respondents knew that, EBF is important for the child to prevent young child from infection, 124 (100%) provide essential nutrient to baby and 86 (69.4%) knew that EBF can be used as family planning method.
Table 2: Knowledge of respondents about exclusive breast feeding
Variables Frequency Percent (%)
|
Meaning of EBF
Giving the baby breast milk and infant formula
Giving the baby breast milk and clean water
Giving baby only breast milk without any food or drink with exception of prescribed medicines
Giving the baby breast milk and vitamin
EBF provides essential nutrients to baby
Yes
No
I don’t know
EBF can be used family planning method
Yes
No
I don’t know
EBF helps to protect baby from diseases
Yes
No
I don’t know
|
2 1.6
10 8.1
97 78.2
15 12.1
124 100
0 0
0 0
|
86
23
15
|
69.4
18.5
12.1
96
2.4
1.6
|
|
119
3
2
|
|
|
|
|
|
Levels of Knowledge about Exclusive Breast Feeding
The overall knowledge of respondents was graded as low, medium and high knowledge. Therefore, the study revealed that, majority of respondents 74(59.7%) had high knowledge compared to other levels like, 44 (35.5%) moderate knowledge and 6 (4.8%) had low knowledge.
Table 3: Level of knowledge of respondents
Variable Frequency Percent (%)
|
Knowledge
Low knowledge
Moderate knowledge
High knowledge
|
6 4.84
44 35.58
74 59.68
|
Exclusive Breastfeeding Practices
Concerning the exclusive breastfeeding practices of the mothers, most of the respondents 92 (74.2%) initiated breastfeeding within one hour after birth, 77 (62.1%) practiced exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months whereas 47 (37.9%) didn’t practice EBF. Also most of respondents started feeding their babies supplementary food at age of six months 77 (62.1%). Other information are shown in table 4
Table 4: Exclusive breastfeeding practices
Variable Frequency Percent (%)
|
Breastfeeding initiation
Within one hour
After one hour
After six hours
After 24 hours
Exclusive breastfeed
Yes
No
I don’t know
Supplementary food initiation
Within one month
Within two months
After six months
|
|
92
6
23
3
77
47
0
9
38
30.6
|
74.2
4.8
18.5
2.4
62.1
37.9
0
7.3
77
62.1
|
Association between Knowledge and Exclusive Breast Feeding practice
Concerning relationship between knowledge of respondents and EBF practice, study revealed that there is significant association between knowledge level and exclusive breastfeeding (p = 0.001). As this study revealed that high percent of women have adequate knowledge about exclusive breast feeding, 44 (35.58%) had moderate knowledge and 74 (59.68%) had high knowledge significantly influenced exclusive breast feeding practice among lactating mothers. Other factors are shown in table 5.
Table 5: Association between knowledge about EBF and exclusive breastfeeding practice
|
Breastfeed exclusively
|
p-value
|
Yes No Total
|
Knowledge about EBF
Low knowledge
Moderate knowledge
High knowledge
Total
|
1
21
|
5 6
23 44
|
0.001
|
55 19 74
77 47 124
|
|
|
|
|
Association between Factors affecting EBF and Exclusive Breastfeeding Practice
Concerning partners or spouses support to lactating mothers study revealed that there is significant association between exclusive breastfeeding and support of lactating mothers from their partners or spouses (p = 0.000). Also, study findings showed that there is significant association between health education about EBF and exclusive breastfeeding where p-value was 0.019 and there is significant association between health educations about baby positioning during breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding (p = 0.025). Other information is condensed in table 6.
Table 6: Association between Factors affecting EBF and Exclusive Breastfeeding Practice
|
Exclusively breastfed
|
|
Frequency (n)
|
Percent (%)
|
p- value
|
Partner/spouse support
|
Yes
|
114
|
91.9
|
0.000
|
No
|
10
|
8.1
|
I don’t know
|
0
|
0
|
Health education on EBF from health care provider
|
Yes
|
118
|
95.2
|
0.019
|
No
|
6
|
4.8
|
Health education on baby positioning
|
I don’t know
|
0
|
0
|
0.025
|
Yes
No
|
116
8
|
93.5
6.5
|
Age group
|
I don’t know
|
0
|
0
|
0.190
|
15-19
20-24
25-29
|
8
35
39
|
6.52
8.2
31.5
|
30-34
|
25
|
20.2
|
35-39
|
11
|
8.9
|
40-44
|
6
|
4.8
|
45-49
|
0
|
0
|
Numbers children
Marital status
|
1-2
|
87
|
70.2
|
0.678
0.168
|
3-4
|
31
|
25
|
5-6
Single
|
6
15
|
4.8
12.1
|
Married
|
87
|
70.2
|
Cohabiting
|
22
|
17.7
|
Widowed
|
0
|
0
|
Divorced
|
0
|
0
|
Occupational status
|
House wife
|
56
|
45.2
|
0.355
|
Self employed
|
45
|
36.3
|
Employed
|
22
|
17.7
|
Student
|
1
|
0.8
|
Education level
|
No formal education
|
0
|
0
|
0.349
|
Primary education
|
63
|
50.8
|
Secondary education
|
49
|
39.5
|
College
|
12
|
9.7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Association between Factors hindering EBF and Exclusive Breastfeeding
Findings show that 64(51.6%) respondents denied that exclusive breastfeeding causes loss of shape of their breasts while 48 (38.7%) respondents accepted that exclusive breastfeeding causes loss of shape of their breasts. Only 12 (9.7%) respondents didn’t know if EBF causes loss of breasts shape or not. Moreover, 19 (15.3%) respondents had physical difficulties/problems like cracking of nipples, inadequate milk, while 105(84.7%) didn’t get any physical difficult. Therefore findings revealed there is significant association between mothers belief of losing shapes of their breasts and EBF (p=0.05). Physical difficulties/problems to lactating mothers study show that there is significant relationship with EBF (p = 0.000).
Table 7: Association between Factors hindering EBF and Exclusive Breastfeeding
|
Exclusively breastfed
|
|
Frequency
|
Percent (%)
|
p- value
|
Breasts loosing shape
Yes
No
I don’t know
|
|
48
|
38.7
|
0.050
|
|
64
|
51.6
|
|
12
|
9.7
|
Physical difficulties
Yes
No
I don’t know
|
|
19
|
15.3
|
0.000
|
|
105
0
|
84.7
0
|