BIRTH ORDER AND EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING PRACTICES AMONG MOTHERS WITH TWO OR MORE CHILDREN ATTENDING A SECONDARY HEALTH CARE FACILITY IN IBADAN, OYO STATE

Abstract

Background: The promotion and support of breast-feeding is a global priority. Breastfeeding is recommended by multiple health agencies as the preferred method of infant feeding for at least six months because of its numerous benefits, both immediate and long term, for both mothers and babies. It has also been suggested that the duration a woman breastfeeds her first born is an important predictor of whether or not she will breastfeed a later-born child. This study aimed to determine the association between birth order and exclusive breastfeeding practices in families with two or more children. Method: A cross sectional design was used for this study. A total of 288 mothers with two or more children attending Adeoyo Maternity Hospital, Yemetu were recruited using a systematic random sampling and a structured questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics, birth history, knowledge and practice of breastfeeding. Chi-square test was used for bivariate analyses to test the significance of the association between categorical variables and the practice of exclusive breastfeeding. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of exclusive breastfeeding. Level of significance was at 5%. Results: The mean age of mothers was 30.4 years (SD 4.4 years) while the mean age of the children was 56.0 months (SD 41. l months). Exclusive breastfeeding was higher among the second and third children compared to the first, fourth and fifth children. However on logistic regression the differences were not significant. Mothers with three children were about three times more likely to have exclusively breastfed their children compared to mothers with four/five children. (OR= 2.168, 95%Cl= 1.307-3.596). Mothers from other ethnic group were significantly less likely to breastfeed exclusively than those who were Yoruba (OR= 0.515, 95%CI= 0.254-1.046) Conclusion: The study shows that the factors influencing the practice of exclusive breastfeeding differ among mothers by birth order and parity. Efforts must be intensified to reiterate the benefits of EBF and address the identified hindrances irrespective of parity and birth order, via health education of the broader community to enlist family support for breastfeeding mothers. Strategies should also be put in place that would ensure the consistent practice of exclusive breastfeeding especially among mothers. who have many children.