Timely initiation of breastfeeding and its associated factors among immediate postpartum mother-newborn pairs in Debre Tabor comprehensive specialized hospital, South Gondar Zone, North West, Ethiopia

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Initiation of breast feeding within one hour of birth is the easiest and most cost-effective intervention to reduce the risk of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Conducting studies immediately after an hour of birth for the timely initiation of breastfeeding has the significance of initiating breastfeeding and acting immediately. However, there was a paucity of information in the region as well as in the country at large. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the magnitude of timely initiation of breastfeeding and its associated factors among immediate postpartum mother-newborn pairs in Debre Tabor comprehensive specialized hospital, northwest Ethiopia, in 2024. METHOD: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from October 25, 2023, to January 25, 2024, at Debre Tabor Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. A total of 478 immediate postpartum mothers were selected at birth using systematic random sampling techniques. Data were collected using chart reviews, interviewer-administered questionnaires, and through observation. Data entry and analysis was performed by Epi-Data version 4.6.02 and Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25(SPSS) soft war respectively. Descriptive statistics were computed to determine the frequency of variables. After doing a binary logistic regression analysis, a p-value less than 0.25 indicated a potential candidate for multivariable analysis aimed at identifying statistically relevant factors. Both crude and adjusted odds ratios (AOR) were computed, and the levels of significance were declared based on the AOR with a 95% confidence interval (CI) at a p-value < 0.05. RESULTS: In this study, the prevalence of timely initiation of breastfeeding was 73.7% with a 95% CI (69.65%, 77.67%). Being multiparous (AOR: 2.25, 95% CI: 1.32, 3.84), receiving counseling immediately after delivery (AOR: 4.19, 95% CI: 2.20, 7.98), receiving support and guidance from health care providers (AOR: 1.95, 95% CI: 1.01, 3.77), having no obstetric complications during and immediately after delivery (AOR: 4.44, 95% CI: 2.34, 8.42), and practicing rooming-in (AOR: 3.65, 95% CI: 2.05, 6.51) were significantly associated variables with timely initiation of breast feeding. CONCLUSION: The overall timely initiation of breastfeeding in this study was lower than the World Health Organization's recommendations. Therefore, interventions need to focus on mothers who developed obstetric complications, primiparous mothers, improper rooming-in, a lack of advice immediately after delivery, and the support and guidance of mothers on the timely initiation of breastfeeding to improve the timely initiation of breastfeeding practice.