Patterns and Determinants of Breast Feeding Practices in Dodoma Municipality: A Cross Sectional Study

Promotion of proper breastfeeding practices for the first six months of life is the most cost-effective intervention for reducing childhood morbidity and mortality. The objective of the present study was to determine prevalence of EBF and understand the awareness of breast feeding practices among the women in Dodoma Municipality, central part of Tanzania.A cross-sectional study was conducted in Dodoma municipality, Tanzania in April to May 2011. Multiple sampling methods were applied in selection of a sample 200(women aged 15-42 years). A structured interview schedule was used to collect information of Mothers with infants aged 0 to 12 months on demographic characteristics, knowledge of EBF, and details regarding breast feeding practices since birth of their children to six months of life.The prevalence of EBF among women in Dodoma Municipality, Tanzania was 59%. Knowledge of EBF was relatively higher (89%) compared to the prevalence of EBF (59%). In total, majority(89%) of the women in study area had initiated breastfeeding in first one hour of delivery. Hospital deliveries (67.5%) higher than home deliveries in Dodoma municipality. Though exclusive breastfeeding prevalence rate found higher than at national level which was encouraging but not satisfactory according to world health organizations recommendations. Interventions and further research should address the low prevalence of exclusive breast feeding practices in study area.