Early initiation of breastfeeding and its determinants of mothers in Rajshahi district, Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF) provides the first immunization for the newborns. This study aimed to identify the factors associated with EIBF among mothers in Rajshahi district, Bangladesh. A number of 421 mothers living in Rajshahi district who had at least one infant aged 6-24 months were considered as sample. Mothers were selected using multistage random sampling. This study was conducted from January 1 to March 31, 2019. The prevalence of EIBF among mothers in Rajshahi district was 88.4%. Eight factors associated with EIBF: (i) husbands’ education level, (ii) husbands’ occupation, (iii) monthly family income, (iv) mothers’ age, (v) mothers’ BMI, (vi) place of delivery, (vii) planned pregnancy and (viii) mothers taking advice regarding the benefit of breastfeeding during their pregnancy. This study identified several factors associated with EIBF. These factors could be considered to increase the rate of EIBF among mothers in Bangladesh.