Breast feeding techniques and associated factors among lactating primipara mothers during the postpartum period in Debre Markos health institutions, North West Ethiopia.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Breastfeeding technique is a combination of positioning, attachment, and breast milk suckling. Breastfeeding problems are caused by incorrect breastfeeding practices, which lead to premature discontinuation of breastfeeding. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the proportion of breastfeeding techniques and associated factors among lactating primiparous mothers during the postpartum period in the Debre Markos town health facility in 2021. METHODS: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from November 1st to December 30, 2021. A systematic sampling technique was utilized to select study participants. An observational checklist developed by WHO and an interviewer-administered questionnaire were used to collect data from 409 mothers. The collected data were entered into Epi-Data version 4.6.0.4 statistical software and then exported to SPSS version 24.0 for cleaning and analysis. Binary and multivariable logistic regression was carried out to identify the factors associated with the practice of effective breastfeeding techniques. A variable that has a p-value of ≤0.2 was transferred to a multivariable for further analysis. The strength of association was identified using an adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval, and a p-value <0.05 was taken as statistically significant. RESULTS: The proportion of practicing effective breastfeeding techniques among lactating primipara mothers was 29.1% (CI 24.7, 33.3). Baby aged ≥29 days, mothers who were living in urban, mothers who attended college or higher education, mothers who have heard about BFT practices, mothers who received counseling on BFT after delivery, and mothers whose breast nipples had everted were variables that were significantly associated with the practice of effective breastfeeding techniques. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study revealed that the practice of effective breastfeeding techniques among lactating primipara mothers was lower in the study area. Therefore, healthcare providers should have to counsel mothers on how to position and attach their infants during breastfeeding. PRACTICE IMPLICATION The provision of breast-feeding method counseling to nursing mothers is one way to enhance the practices of breast feeding.