BACKGROUND

Optimal breastfeeding is recommended up to two years, i.e, it prevents 1.4 million child deaths per year. Despite this prelacteal feeding is commonly practiced in Ethiopia due to different reasons. The objective of this study was to assess prelacteal feeding and associated factors among mothers who have infants less than six months of age.

METHOD

A community based quantitative cross sectional study was conducted from April 7, 2015 to May 7, 2015. Using simple random sampling method total of 423 mothers with infant less than six months old were included in this study. The data were collected by using an interviewer admini stered questionnaire. Both simple and multiple logistic regression analyses were computed to identify factors associated with prelacteal feeding.

RESULTS

Prevalence of prelacteal feeding was 20.3% [95% CL: 16.38% - 24.02%]. The most common prelacteal feeding in the study area was butter (62.2%). Mothers with young infant who fed colostrum [AOR=3.540 (1.534, 8.173), initiated breastfeeding on time [AOR=4.4832 (1.823, 11.028)] and supported by husband's [AOR=2.686 (1.037, 6.953)] were less likely to practice prelacteal feeding to their infant than their counterparts.

CONCLUSIONS

Prelacteal feeding was common in the study area. Colostrum feeding, timely initiations of breastfeeding and husband support were the independent predictors of prelacteal feeding practices. Recommendation to avoid prelacteal feeding practices were: increasing the habit of mothers to initiate breastfeeding timely and to feed colostrum through education, empowering husbands regarding to breastfeeding and avoiding traditional practices that hinder optimal breastfeeding like colostrum avoidance.