Determinants of cessation of exclusive breastfeeding in Ankesha Guagusa Woreda Awi Zine Northwest Ethiopia

BACKGROUND:- The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding in the
first six months. Exclusive breast feeding for the first 6
months benefits both the infant and the mother. The risk of diarrheal
morbidity and mortality is higher among those who are not on exclusive breast feeding.

Infants areparticularly vulnerable during thetransition period when complementary feeding begins.

The time to cessation of exclusive breast feeding dependent on different sociodemographic factors, obstetric factors and characteristics of the infant.

OBJECTIVE:-To identify cessation of exclusive breast feeding and its determinants among
mothers of index infants.
METHODS:-Community based cross-sectional study was conducted from February 13 to March
03/ 2012 using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Both bivariate and multivariable Cox
regression analyses were done to identify factors associated with cessation of EBF.
RESULTS: - In this study, 392 (69.63%) events of cessation of EBF occurred. Among these, 224
(57.1%) events occurred before six months of age, while 145 (37.0%) and 23 (5.9%) occurred at
6 months and after 6 months of age of the index infant respectively. The median duration of EBF
was 6.36 months in rural and 5.13 months in urban and this difference was statistically
significant on Log rank (Cox-mantel) test.
CONCLUSION:-Maternal and paternal occupational status, place of residence, postnatal
counseling on EBF, mode of delivery, and birth order of the index infant were significant
determinants of cessation of EBF. An effort that can ensure the implementation of national
strategy on IYCF should be undertaken through provision of postnatal care counseling on EBF,
routine follow up and support of those mothers having infants emphasizing for working mothers.