THE STUDY ON SITUATON OF EXCLUSIVE BREAST FEEDING FOR THE FIRST 6 MONTHS IN HOI AN

Background: Breast milk is the most valuable source of food for infants, no food is comparable. However in many countries around the world including Vietnam, the breastfeeding prevalence has been declining. A report of the Ministry of Health showed that only 19.6% of infants in Vietnam were exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months. The study was conducted in Hoi An with the aim at describing the situation of exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of the mothers in Hoi An city, Quang Nam province and; identifying some factors affecting exclusive breast feeding for the first 6 months in the study area. Methods: A crosssectional descriptive study was conducted in Hoi An city in December 2014. 516 mothers of infants aged from 6 to 12 months were directly interviewed on the basis of a structured questionnaire. Information about general characteristics of mothers and their infants, their knowledge and attitude of breastfeeding and the feeding types of their baby for the first 6 months was collected. Multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify factors affecting exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months. Results: The exclusive breastfeeding prevalence for the first 6 months is 22.3%. Knowledge in breastfeeding and attitude toward exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months are factors that significantly related to exclusive breastfeeding prevalence for the first 6 months (OR = 3.3; p=0.001 and OR=10.4; p<0.001, respectively). Conclusion: The exclusive breastfeeding rate for the first 6 months in Hoi An city is low. The promoting antenatal education in exclusive breastfeeding is necessary solution to improve exclusive breastfeeding rate for the first 6 months. Key words: breast milk, exclusive breastfeeding, Hoi An