Initiation of Breast Milk Expression and Associated Factor Among Mothers of Preterm Neonates Admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Amhara Region Comprehensive Specialized Hospitals, Ethiopia 2023: Cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background The initiation of breast milk expression was when mothers began expressing their breast milk. In preterm neonates, due to poor coordination of the sucking and swallowing reflex with breathing, breast milk expression is the best solution to start feeding. This study assesses the initiation of breast milk expression and associated factors among mothers of preterm neonates admitted to NICUs in the Amhara region and comprehensive specialized hospitals. Methods An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the Amhara region’s comprehensive specialized hospitals from April 15–May 15, 2023. Maternal interviews and the neonate’s chart review were used to gather data from 401 respondents using systematic random sampling. The collected data was entered, coded, and cleaned into Epi-Data version 4.6.0.2 and analyzed by Stata 14.0 software. In the bivariable logistic regression model, variables that had a p-value < 0.25 were further analyzed in the multivariable logistic regression model, where a p-value < 0.05 with a 95% confidence interval was used to determine the association between the dependent and independent variables. Result late initiation of breast milk expression was 340 (84.79%). Respondents GA < 32 weeks (AOR = 3.59; 95% CI: 1.21, 10.61), getting instruction (AOR = 2.48; 95% CI: 1.06, 5.79), family support (AOR = 2.19; 95% CI: 1.10, 4.36), and importance of mother’s milk (AOR = 2.36; 95% CI: 1.24, 4.47) were the results express factors that negatively impact breast milk expression initiation. Conclusion and recommendation Based on the findings, the initiation of breast milk expression was poor, 15.21% of mothers expressed within the first 6 hours of delivery. In the delivery room, it is better to encourage mothers to express breast milk with in the first 6 hours after delivery who gave preterm birth, especially those < 32 weeks.