Determinants of Breastfeeding Practices among Women with Children Aged 6-12 Months Attending Well-baby Clinic at Nairobi Womens' Hospital, Kenya

Abstract

Breast milk is considered the most optimal nutrition for infants due to the many health benefits for women, families, and communities. The study aimed at determining the factors influencing breastfeeding among mothers with children aged 6 - 12 months. The study used a cross-sectional survey design for 206 mothers attending Well- Baby Clinic at Nairobi Women’s Hospital. The rate of exclusive breastfeeding was 82.6% and 77.2%mixed feeding after 6 months. Chi squared results for Maternal age (X2 = 10.78), level of education (X2 = 11.42), occupation (X2 = 14.23) and household income (X2 = 12.03) were significant (p< 0.05). Logistic regression showed that positive predictors of exclusive breastfeeding included age above 30 (AOR = 1.89; 95% CI [1.12, 4.02]) and tertiary education level (AOR = 2.02; 95% CI [1.06, 2.06]). Socio-demographic characteristics, Maternal knowledge& access to information are determinants of optimum breastfeeding practices. There is need for private hospitals in Nairobi to improve maternal knowledge and access to information for promoting exclusive breastfeeding among the breastfeeding mothers attending well baby clinics. The ministry of health should encourage and support community-based strategies involving religious leaders to promote breastfeeding anywhere at any time with no stigmatization to the mothers.