BACKGROUND Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is the global recommended nutrition for infants less than 6 months of age. The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding in Ethiopia is much lower than the recommendations of World Health Organization (WHO). This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of EBF among rural mothers of infants less than 6 months of age in two regions, Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples (SNNP) and Tigray Regions, of Ethiopia. METHODS The research was based on the secondary data analysis of community-based cross-sectional study conducted in 56 rural woredas (districts) in two regions of Ethiopia for impact evaluation of Alive & Thrive multi-year project. The 24-h recall dietary data were collected from 600 mother-infant dyads where the infant was less than 6 month of age, using multistage cluster sampling technique and 584 dyads were found eligible for analysis. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regressions were applied to identify the associated factors of exclusive breastfeeding. RESULTS The prevalence of EBF of infants less than 6 months of age was 88.0% (95% CI 84.9, 90.4%). The odds of practicing EBF were significantly higher among infants less than 2 months of age (AOR 4.47, 95% CI 2.41, 8.27), married mothers (AOR 4.35, 95% CI 1.50, 12.67), mothers who gave birth in health facilities (AOR 2.07, 95% CI 1.15, 3.73) and mothers who received breastfeeding counseling during pregnancy (AOR 2.23, 95% CI 1.26, 3.96). CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of EBF was relatively high when compared with previous studies in Ethiopia but close to the WHO recommendations of 90 %. Infant age, marital status of mothers, delivery place and breastfeeding counseling during pregnancy were identified as factors associated with EBF practices in 24 h preceding the survey. Devising appropriate strategies on breastfeeding messaging/counseling and support in addressing poor breastfeeding practices through existing government-led health intervention packages are recommended.

中文翻译：

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埃塞俄比亚南部民族，民族，人民（SNNP）和提格里地区小于6个月大的农村母亲的纯母乳喂养发生率和相关因素：一项横断面研究。

背景技术纯母乳喂养（EBF）是全球推荐的6个月以下婴儿的营养。埃塞俄比亚纯母乳喂养的患病率远低于世界卫生组织（世卫组织）的建议。这项研究旨在评估埃塞俄比亚南部国家，民族和人民（SNNP）和提格雷地区两个地区的6个月以下婴儿的农村母亲中EBF的患病率及其相关因素。方法该研究基于在埃塞俄比亚两个地区的56个农村地区（社区）进行的基于社区的横断面研究的二次数据分析，以评估“活跃与繁荣”多年项目的影响。24小时召回的饮食数据来自600例婴儿年龄小于6个月的母婴，使用多阶段整群抽样技术，发现584个二元组符合分析条件。应用双变量和多变量logistic回归确定纯母乳喂养的相关因素。结果6个月以下婴儿的EBF患病率为88.0％（95％CI 84.9，90.4％）。在2个月以下的婴儿中（AOR 4.47，95％CI 2.41，8.27），已婚母亲（AOR 4.35，95％CI 1.50，12.67），在卫生机构中分娩的母亲中，实施EBF的几率显着更高（ AOR 2.07，95％CI 1.15，3.73）和在怀孕期间接受母乳喂养咨询的母亲（AOR 2.23，95％CI 1.26，3.96）。结论与埃塞俄比亚以前的研究相比，EBF的患病率较高，但接近WHO的90％的建议。婴儿年龄，母亲的婚姻状况，在调查前24小时内，将怀孕期间的分娩地点和母乳喂养咨询确定为与EBF习惯相关的因素。建议制定适当的母乳喂养信息/咨询策略，并通过现有的政府主导的健康干预措施来解决母乳喂养不良的问题。