Colostrum avoidance and associated factors among mothers of children under the age of six months in Sekota Zuria woreda, Waghimra zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract Background Early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF) and exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) are critical practices for ensuring optimal early-life and long-term well-being among human populations, particularly in resource-limited settings. Although Ethiopia enjoys a high rate of breastfeeding (BF) overall, common practices, such as colostrum avoidance, impede the nation from attaining the BF targets set by the World Health Organization (WHO). Objective To assess colostrum avoidance and its associated factors among mothers of children under the age of six months in the Sekota Zuria Woreda of the Waghimra Zone, Ethiopia, 2022. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted between June 26 and July 30, 2022, in the Sekota Zuria Woreda of the Waghimra Zone, Ethiopia. The study included 421 mothers of children under the age of six months, selected using a multistage sampling technique. Once written consent was obtained from all participants, a pretested and reliability-checked questionnaire was employed to interview and gather data. During the analysis, descriptive statistics and logistic regression models were employed to summarize and explore the statistical associations between the dependent and explanatory variables. In the bivariate logistic regression analysis, variables with a P-value of < 0.25 were exported to the multivariate logistic regression model for further analysis. Finally, using a P-value of < 0.05 as an indicator of statistical significance, the Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) at 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) was calculated. Results According to this study, 19.0% (95% CI: 15.0–22.8%) of the mothers in Sekota Zuria Woreda avoided colostrum. In addition, mothers who did not receive Antenatal Care (ANC) (AOR = 2.9, 95% CI: 1.1–7.8), gave birth at home (AOR = 4.6, 95% CI: 2.0–10.8), lacked participation in the Women’s Health Developmental Army (WHDA) (AOR = 4.7, 95% CI: 1.9–11.4), gave pre-lacteal feeds (AOR = 3.0, 95% CI: 1.2–7.1), had insufficient knowledge (AOR = 3.0, 95% CI: 1.2–7.6), and had a negative attitude toward colostrum feeding (AOR = 6.5, 95% CI: 3.0–14.2) were more likely to avoid colostrum. Conclusions In Sekota Zuria Woreda, the prevalence of colostrum avoidance is high, with nearly one in five mothers withholding colostrum from their newborns. This practice is primarily driven by poor utilization of healthcare services, lack of participation in the WHDA, inadequate knowledge, and negative attitudes toward colostrum. Creating an environment that encourages, enables, and supports mothers to utilize healthcare services and participate in the WHDA while also improving their knowledge and attitudes toward colostrum is crucial for decreasing the prevalence of colostrum avoidance in the Woreda.

Keywords

• Breastfeeding
• Infant nutrition
• Pre-lacteal feeding
• Suboptimal breastfeeding