Breastfeeding is crucial for the health of both mothers and infants, promoting healthier populations and reducing long-term healthcare costs. To maximize these benefits, education, support, and effective policies are essential. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of immediate postpartum counseling on early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding rates in the pastoralist areas of Oromia, Ethiopia. Hypothesis: Individualized immediate postnatal counselling improve exclusive breastfeeding practice.
Breastfeeding plays a crucial role in promoting the health and well-being of both mothers and their infants, contributing to healthier populations, and reducing long-term healthcare costs. Encouraging breastfeeding through education, support, and policies is essential for maximizing these benefits. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of immediate postpartum counseling on early initiation of breastfeeding rates and exclusive breastfeeding in Bule Hora and Yabelo Hospitals. A cluster randomized single-blinded trial was conducted on 224 pregnant women (112 for the intervention group and 112 for the control group) from January 1, 2023, to April 30, 2023. The effect of immediate postpartum counselling and its associated variables on early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding practices were evaluated using multiple logistic regressions. A p-value of less than 0.05, a 95% confidence interval, and an adjusted odd ratio were used to determine statistical significance.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
221
Counselling was given for treatment group.
Bule Hora and Yabelo Hospital
Bulē, Oromiya, Ethiopia
Early initiation of breastfeeding
Mothers will be asked about their infant breastfeeding practices, specifically regarding the early initiation of breastfeeding. The practice of early infant breastfeeding initiation will be determined using the operational definition of those who started breastfeeding within one hour after birth, while those who did not initiate breastfeeding within the first hour will be categorized accordingly.
Time frame: up to 1month
Breastfeeding frequency
Frequency of breast-feeding: This section describes the practice of mothers feeding their infants breast milk on demand. In this study, instances where mothers fed their babies according to their needs and the program guidelines were coded as "0," while instances where babies required feeding were coded as "1." Therefore, a code of "1" indicates that the mother frequently breastfed, whereas a code of "0" indicates that she did not frequently breastfeed.
Time frame: up to 1 month
Mother knowledge and attitude
Knowledge was assessed by evaluating their understanding of the benefits of breastfeeding for both themselves and their newborns. This evaluation involved eight specific questions. Mothers who answered at or above the mean score were classified as knowledgeable, while those who scored below the mean were considered not knowledgeable. Attitude: This study assesses attitudes through 10 questions on a five-point likert scale ranging from "strongly agree" to "strongly disagree." Responses are then simplified into a two-point scale (agree or disagree), with "1" assigned for agreement on positive questions and "0" for disagreement. The reverse applies for negative questions. A positive attitude is indicated by responses that meet or exceed the mean score for breastfeeding items, while scores below the mean indicate a negative attitude.
Time frame: up to 1 month
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