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Determinants of Knowledge and Attitude towards Breastfeeding in Rural Pregnant Women Using Validated Instruments in Ethiopia

Author

Listed:
  • Misra Abdulahi

    (Department of Population and Family Health, Jimma University, Jimma 378, Ethiopia
    Department of Community Medicine and Global Health, University of Oslo, 0316 Oslo, Norway)

  • Atle Fretheim

    (Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University, 0130 Oslo, Norway
    Centre for Informed Health Choices, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, 0473 Oslo, Norway)

  • Alemayehu Argaw

    (Department of Population and Family Health, Jimma University, Jimma 378, Ethiopia
    Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium)

  • Jeanette H. Magnus

    (Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, 0316 Oslo, Norway
    Department of Global Community Health and Behavioral Sciences, Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA)

Abstract

Understanding the underlying determinants of maternal knowledge and attitude towards breastfeeding guides the development of context-specific interventions to improve breastfeeding practices. This study aimed to assess the level and determinants of breastfeeding knowledge and attitude using validated instruments in pregnant women in rural Ethiopia. In total, 468 pregnant women were interviewed using the Afan Oromo versions of the Breastfeeding Knowledge Questionnaire (BFKQ-AO) and the Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale (IIFAS-AO). We standardized the breastfeeding knowledge and attitude scores and fitted multiple linear regression models to identify the determinants of knowledge and attitude. 52.4% of the women had adequate knowledge, while 60.9% of the women had a neutral attitude towards breastfeeding. In a multiple linear regression model, maternal occupation was the only predictor of the BFKQ-AO score (0.56SD; 95%CI, 1.28, 4.59SD; p = 0.009). Age (0.57SD; 95%CI, 0.24, 0.90SD; p = 0.001), parity (−0.24SD; 95%CI, −0.47, −0.02SD; p = 0.034), antenatal care visits (0.41SD; 95%CI, 0.07, 0.74SD; p = 0.017) and the BFKQ-AO score (0.08SD; 95% CI, 0.06, 0.09SD; p < 0.000) were predictors of the IIFAS-AO score. Nearly half of the respondents had inadequate knowledge and most women had a neutral attitude towards breastfeeding. Policymakers and managers could address these factors when planning educational interventions to improve breastfeeding practices.

Suggested Citation

  • Misra Abdulahi & Atle Fretheim & Alemayehu Argaw & Jeanette H. Magnus, 2021. "Determinants of Knowledge and Attitude towards Breastfeeding in Rural Pregnant Women Using Validated Instruments in Ethiopia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-11, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:15:p:7930-:d:602224
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