Factors Contributing To Inadequate Exclusive Breast Feeding Of Children Aged 0-6 Months

1.2 Statement of Problem

Tanzania is among the countries with high rate of infant death, inadequate exclusive breastfeeding being one of the cause factors. Efforts have been made by the Government, Donors, NGO and other stakeholder to protect, support and promote exclusive breastfeeding but still there is an inadequate practice of exclusive breast feeding, meanwhile only 49% of infant are breastfed within one hour of birth  (TDHS, 2010). TDHS data report, indicated there are challenging factors that cause inadequate exclusive breast feeding practices, though the Tanzania Food and Nutrition Center (TFNC) in collaboration with other partners have been implementing a National program on infant and young child nutrition initiatives in collaboration with Ministry of health and social welfare (MOHSW, TFNC, 2010), the goal was to empower lactating mother to breastfed their infant exclusively and introduce complementary food after six months.

Apart from the effort made by MOHSW, still there is a challenge of inadequate exclusive breastfeeding practice in Tanzania. Observation during clinical support supervision indicated majority of nursing mother admitted with their children less than six months of age have already started complimentary foods.

This study intends to add knowledge on assessing factors associated with inadequate exclusive breast feeding in Tanzania to support the MOHSW target, by the year 2015 the prevalence of exclusive breast feeding in children<6 months increased to 60 percent.

1.3 Rationale of the Study

This study was intended to find out factors contributing to inadequate exclusive breastfeeding in relation to child mortality rate to children aged from 0-5year old. Then this study expected to assist the Ministry of Health, Stakeholders, Policy makers as well as individual person in planning feasible intervention and strengthening the existing factors on exclusive breast feeding, and all others effect that related to exclusive breast feeding so as to support Millennium Development Goal 2015, by supporting exclusive breast feeding and reducing the morbidity and mortality rate to children aged from 0-5 years.

1.4 General Objective

The objective of this study is to find out the factors contributing to inadequate exclusive breastfeeding to infant aged 0-6 months in MNH Tanzania.

1.5 Specific Objective

(i) To Determine The Demographic Factors Impending Breastfeeding In Children Less Than Six Months.

(ii) To Assess Social –Cultural Factors That Influence Inadequate Breastfeeding To Children Less Than 6 Months Old.

(iii) To Identify Child And Maternal Factors Associated With Inadequate Breast- Feeding In Children Less Than 6 Months.

(iv) To Evaluate Exclusive Breast Feeding Knowledge To Nursing Mothers

1.6 Research Questions

(i) What demographic factors contributing to inadequate exclusive breast- feeding to children aged 0-6 months?

(ii) What are the social –culture factors that contribute to inadequate exclusively breast feeding to children aged 0-6 months?

(iii) What are difficulties (obstetric and pediatric factors) associated with exclusive breast feeding to children aged 0-6 month’s practices?

(iv) Do nursing mothers have adequate knowledge on exclusive breast-feeding?

1.7 Study Limitations

(i) Nursing mother with serious child excluded.

(ii) Mothers with their children came for follow up. 

1.8 Ethical Consideration

The researcher requested the permission to collect the data to Executive director of Muhimbili National Hospital through letter whereby the letter was briery explained the aim of the study and reassured about confidentiality