Factors associated with breast feeding practice among pastoralist mothers in eastern Ethiopia

Editor's Notes

1. Information Education Communication / Behavioral Change Communication Social Behavioral Change Communication
2. The study communities (mothers who have a child less than 23 months) were found in Moyale and Mubarek Woredas of former Liben Zones in Somali Region Communities originate in Arda-Ola, Ketema, Eldher, and Majire kebeles of Moyale Woreda plus Mubrake-02 kebles Mubarek were enrolled for study group from where PFS and VICOBAs being active; While communities from Meleb, Elgof, Kojowa, and Raro, kebeles of Moyale Woreda and Jara kebele from Mubarak Woreda where no pastoral community platforms was enrolled for comparison
3. Mixed method of quantitative and qualitative
4. Census was conducted in the Kebeles which were selected from each study Woredas using inclusion criteria. A sampling frame that lists households with children up to 23 months old was developed using SPSS. A total of 471 households from the study group and 471 households from the comparison group were selected using random sampling method. These sample sizes was distributed based on the proportional allocation of the selected kebeles
5. Quantitative approach: A face-to-face interview and handled over by a trained data collector and supervisors under a direct and close management of research team and Moyale field office of VSF SUISSE-Ethiopia. Qualitative data collection: An in-depth interview (key informant interview) and focus group discussion was also used to collect data related to nutrition and wealth status. UNICEF IYCF programming May 2011
6. Almost half of the respondent’s in the study group did not know about early initiation of breastfeeding Majority (73%) did not know ‘What exclusive breastfeeding is’ The majority (80%) of the respondent’s did not know the benefit of exclusive breastfeeding
7. The overall attitude of mothers was found good; In both group; 90% has Perceived the benefit of exclusive breast feeding,
8. Similarly, the result from the qualitative has indicated that FGDs and CVs: Insufficient breast milk Infant satisfaction Livelihood system (being pastoral), lack of support from husband, lack of time, water inaccessibility,
9. Based on the baseline survey assessment an intervention has conducted to test nutrition message channeling using existed community platforms