COLOSTRUM AVOIDANCE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG MOTHERS OF CHILDREN AGE LESS THAN SIX MONTHS IN BURE DISTRICT, NORTH WEST, AMHARA REGION, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Background:-Colostrum contains antibodies that prevent neonatal morbidity. However, many Ethiopian mothers thought colostrum as a cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. The source of misconception about colostrum, underlying factor is not well researched and understood. Objective:-To assess prevalence of colostrum avoidance and associated factors among mothers of children age less than six months, in Bure District, North West, Amhara Region, Ethiopia, from March 1st up to 30th, 2019. Method: - Community based cross-sectional study was conducted among 621 mothers of children age less than six months. Cluster sampling technique was used in order to draw the final sample size. Face to face interview was carried out using pretested questionnaire. Data were entered in to Epi Data version 4.2.0 statistical software and then exported to SPSS window version 23 statistical packages for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate analysis was done by using binary logistic regression. Statistical significance was declared at P< 0.05. Results: In this study colostrum avoidance was 14.5 % (90) (95% CI: 11.8-17.3). Maternal age between (30-38) (AOR=0.182,95% CI: 0.046-0.713), higher number of ANC visit (AOR= 0.112,95%CI:0.021-0.602), home delivery (AOR=4.350,95% CI: 1.248-15.167), cesarean delivery (AOR=3.751, 95% CI: 1.444-9.744), not participated in a women pregnant forum (AOR= 2.393,95% CI: 1.089-5.255), poor knowledge (AOR=2.653,95% CI: 1.167- 6.030) and poor attitude towards colostrum (AOR=2.977,95% CI: 1.130-7.838) of mother were independently associated with colostrum avoidance. Conclusions and recommendations: This study indicated that colostrum avoidance practice was high. Therefore, health professionals and health extension workers in the district health office should create awareness on the disadvantage of colostrum avoidance practice by designing appropriate strategies like health education both at facility and community level.