PREVALENCE OF EXCLUSIVE BREAST FEEDING AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS, A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY IN SAIDU SHARIF, DISTRICT SWAT.

BACKGROUND: Exclusive breast feeding is defined as “ the infant is only receiving breast milkwithout any additional food or drink, not even water. This study was aimed to determine the prevalenceand factors associated with the promotion or decline of exclusive breast feeding up to six months.OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of breast feeding upto the age of 6 months in children aged7 to 24 months in Union Council Saidu Sharif Swat. To determine the factors associated with promotionor decline of breast feeding in Union Council Saidu Sharif Swat.MATERIAL & METHODS: This study was conducted in Union Council Saidu Sharif Swat. A total of548 mothers was included in the study. List of all household of Union Council Saidu Sharif, DistrictSwat was obtained from local census office. Families were randomly selected and data was taken fromall those members who mothers were having babies from the age of 7 to 24 month at the date ofinterview. Descriptive statistics in terms of percentages, frequencies and proportions for categoricalvariable using Chi square test. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression model was used to knowthe association between characteristics of the participants and exclusive breast feeding. Odds ratio, 95 %Cl and P-value was calculated using the SPSS version 20.RESULTS: Average age of mothers at the time of interview was 27.1 . Majority of the mothers (51%)belong to the age group from 23 to 35 years. The prevalence of exclusive breast feeding in arepresentative sample of union council Saidu Sharif Swat was 21.7%. Compared to those with noexclusive breast feeding, those who had exclusive breast feeding were more likely to be older, educated,unemployed, educated and employed husbands, less number of children, nuclear family, female child,more number of breast feeding (> 8), lower duration of each breast feeding and higher demand of breastfeeding in 24 hours, child has lesser duration of diarrhea and chest infection and low income. However,none of these factors were significantly associated with exclusive breast feeding on chi square,univariate and multivariate analysis (P > 0.05).CONCLUSION: In this study, the prevalence of exclusive breast feeding in Saidu Sharif Swat was less(22%) than the national level (38%). Furthermore, none of the determinants enquired in the study weresignificantly associated with exclusive breast feeding on chi square, univariate and multivariate logisticregression analysis. Breast feeding back-up programs by the government and partners should giveparticular consideration to those females who are not exercising exclusive breast feeding.KEY WORDS: Exclusive Breast Feeding, Maternal & Child Health, Primary Health Care