The Magnitude of Pre-lacteal Feeding Practice and its Influencing Factors Among Mothers with Children Under the Age of Two Years in Afar Region of Ethiopia: A Community based Quantitative and Qualitative Study

Background: Pre-lacteal feeding is a barrier to implement optimal breastfeeding practices and caused new-born disease. Pre-lacteal feeding is primarily practiced in developing countries, where cultural and social structures are based on descent and relationships. The aim of study was to determine the magnitude of pre-lacteal feeding practice and its influencing factors among mothers with children under the age of 2-years in Afar region of Ethiopia. Method: A community based cross sectional study supplemented by qualitative study was employed. In the quantitative study, 235 study participants were included, whereas seventeen study subjects participated in the qualitative study. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with pre-lacteal feeding practice. The qualitative data was analyzed using thematic approach. Result: The magnitude of pre-lacteal feeding was 36.6%. Being a housewife (AOR=4.1, 95% CI: 1.4-12.2) and having male indexed child (AOR=4.9, 95% CI: 1.8-13.5) were more likely to practice pre-lacteal feeding than those of trade and female, respectively. However, pre-lacteal feeding practice decreased in those mothers with three and above ante natal care visits (AOR=0.31, 95% CI: 0.1-0.9), delivered at health institutes (AOR=0.1, 95% CI: 0.02-0.3), starting breastfeeding within one hour (AOR=0.04, at 95% CI: 0.01-0.1) and getting breast feeding counseling (AOR=0.21, at 95%CI: 0.06-0.7). Milk, plain water, sugar solution, honey, butter, dates (‘temir'), a leaf, and condo pepper were the most common pre-lacteal foods reported by study participants. Cultural beliefs and the assumption of cleaning new-born throat and bowel were the most common reason to practice pre-lacteal feeding. Conclusion: The magnitude of pre-lacteal feeding was high due to socio-cultural and maternal health service utilization factors. Water, milk products, sweet foods and some of plant types were the most common pre-lacteal foods. Key words: Pre-lacteal feeding, factors, mother, children