Factors Affecting Early Initiation of Breastfeeding Among Women Delivered in a Tertiary Care Hospital

  • Amara Arooj Rawalpindi medical university
  • Lubna Ejaz kahloon Ex Dean Obs/Gynae Rawalpindi Medical University, Rawalpindi,
  • Humera Noreen Professor Dept of Obs/Gynae unit 1, Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi, Rawalpindi Medical University, Rawalpindi
  • Humaira Bilqis Associate Professor Dept of Obs/Gynae unit 1, Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi, Rawalpindi Medical University, Rawalpindi
  • Zainab Maqsood Senior Registrar, Dept of Obs/Gynae unit 1, Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi, Rawalpindi Medical University, Rawalpindi,
  • Shaista Khalid PGT, Dept of Obs/Gynae unit 1, Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi, Rawalpindi Medical University, Rawalpindi
  • Hashim Javaid Data Manager, Global Institute of Human Development
Keywords: Breastfeeding

Abstract

Objective: To determine the proportion of early initiation of breastfeeding among women delivered in a tertiary care hospital before discharge and to identify factors affecting it
Methodology: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi from Sep 2022 to Feb 2023. In the study, data were collected from 380 women through a structured questionnaire about the feeding practices and different factors affecting it after taking ethical approval and consent. Data were analyzed by using SPSS version 26.
The Chi-square test was used to evaluate the association of the independent variables with the early initiation of breastfeeding. Binary logistic regression analysis was employed to identify the factors independently associated with early initiation of breastfeeding. A p- value of <0.05 was considered significant.
Results: Early initiation of breastfeeding was found in only 12.6 % of women. Out of the remaining, 41% started breastfeeding within 2-12 hours. The most common reason for delayed breastfeeding was neonatal NICU admission (29%), followed by postoperative pain (28.6%) and perceived inadequate milk quantity (24.2%). On the Chi-square test, factors having significant association with EIBF are the mode of delivery (p=0.000), availability of guidance by family members or health care representatives (p=<0.001), parity (p-value=0.024) and sex of the baby (p=0.044). On binary logistic regression analysis, factors that were significantly associated with early initiation of breastfeeding, were the mode of delivery, parity and availability of help or guidance by family members or health care representatives (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Early initiation of breastfeeding practices can be increased by antenatal counseling and training of mothers, limiting neonatal NICU admission by uniform protocols and training of health care workers.

Published
2025-01-11
Section
Original Articles