COLOSTRUM DISCARDING PRACTICE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG MOTHERS OF CHILDREN AGED LESS THAN 1 YEAR IN WEST AZERNET BERBERE DISTRICT, SILTE ZONE, SNNP ETHIOPIA .

Abstract

Background: Globally Colostrum discarding practice had been reported across differentcountries, in varied places with trends. A wide range of harmful new born feedingpractices were documented in Ethiopia even after the implementation of infant and youngchild feeding guideline. Even though few studies conducted on Colostrum feeding inEthiopia; majority of previous research works used solely quantitative approach and there was no sufficient information in our study area. Therefore, the objective of this study wasto assess the prevalence of colostrum discarding practices and associated factors among mothers of children aged less than 1 year in West azernet berbere woreda.Methods: Community based cross- sectional study was conducted in west azernet berbere woredafrom March 26 up to April 30/2021. Total samples of 434 study subjects were involved inthe study. The quantitative data were collected by using pretested structured questionnaire and qualitative data were collected by using Focused Group Discussions.The quantitative data were coded and entered into epi-Data version 3.1 and exported toSPSS version 21 for analysis. Descriptive analysis like frequency and mean were performed. Binary and multiple logistic regression analysis were employed to identify associated factors. Variables with p-value <0.05 with 95% confidence interval identified statistically significant. Results: The prevalence of colostrum discarding practices in thisstudy was 64(14.75%). The mothers who didn‟t attend ANC services during pregnancy ofindex infant [AOR=19.024, 95% CI: (2.007-188.313)], home delivery[AOR= 5.599, 95%CI: (1.042-30.084)], breast feeding initiated after one day of birth[AOR= 58.187, 95%CI; (2.041-1658.987)] , poor knowledge [AOR= 15.016, 95% CI; (3.174-71.039)] and negative attitude toward colostrum feeding[AOR= 59.418, 95% CI; (8.571-411.894)]were positively associated factors with colostrum discarding practices. Conclusion; Colostrum discarding practice among mothers of children aged less than 12 months inwest azernet barbered woreda was found to be high when compared to WHO recommendation. Lack of ANC follow up, home delivery of index child, delayed initiation of breast feeding, poor knowledge on colostrum- feeding practices and negative attitude towards colostrum- feeding practices were significant factors associated with colostrum discarding practices of mothers.