title: Determinants of cessation of exclusive breastfeeding in Ankesha Guagusa Woreda, Awi Zone, Northwest Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Exclusive breast-feeding (EBF) is the practice of feeding only breast milk (including expressed breast milk) during the first six months and no other liquids and solid foods except medications. The time to cessation of exclusive breast-feeding, however, is different in different countries depending on different factors. Studies showed the risk of diarrhea morbidity and mortality is higher among none exclusive breast-feeding infants, common during starting other foods. However, there is no study that evaluated the time to cessation of exclusive breast-feeding in the study area. The aim of this study was to show time to cessation of EBF and its predictors among mothers of index infants less than twelve months old.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a community-based cross-sectional study from February 13 to March 3, 2012 using both quantitative and qualitative methods. This study included a total of 592 mothers of index infant using multi-stage sampling method. Data were collected by using interviewer administered structured questionnaire. Bivariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cessation of exclusive breast-feeding occurred in 392 (69.63%) cases. Among these, 224 (57.1%) happened before six months, while 145 (37.0%) and 23 (5.9%) occurred at six months and after six months of age of the index infant respectively. The median time for infants to stay on exclusive breast-feeding was 6.36 months in rural and 5.13 months in urban, and this difference was statistically significant on a Log rank (Cox-mantel) test. Maternal and paternal occupation, place of residence, postnatal counseling on exclusive breast-feeding, mode of delivery, and birth order of the index infant were significant predictors of cessation of exclusive breast-feeding.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Providing postnatal care counseling on EBF, routine follow-up and support of those mothers having infants stressing for working mothers can bring about implementation of national strategy on infant and young child feeding.
authors.forename: Tebikew
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yeneabat
authors.affiliation: Department of Population and Family Health, College of Public Health and Medical Sciences, Jimma University, PO, Box:378, Jimma, Ethiopia. teferabelachew@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Tefera
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Belachew
authors.forename: Muluneh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haile
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001722:Birth Order; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D037001:Directive Counseling; D005002:Ethiopia; D005260:Female; D005523:Food Supply; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009790:Occupations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education; D010298:Parity; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
references.citation: Nutr J. 2011 Apr 10;10:29
references.pmid: 21477343
references.citation: Breastfeed Med. 2011 Aug;6(4):191-6
references.pmid: 21770735
references.citation: J Hum Lact. 2008 Nov;24(4):439-45
references.pmid: 18784325
references.citation: BMC Public Health. 2011 Apr 13;11 Suppl 3:S15
references.pmid: 21501432
references.citation: J Clin Med Res. 2009 Jun;1(2):102-8
references.pmid: 22505975
references.citation: BMC Public Health. 2011 May 26;11:396
references.pmid: 21615957
references.citation: Indian J Med Res. 2004 Jun;119(6):267-72
references.pmid: 15243164
references.citation: Int Breastfeed J. 2011 Feb 02;6(1):2
references.pmid: 21284889
references.citation: BMC Public Health. 2011 Apr 08;11:217
references.pmid: 21473791
references.citation: Matern Child Health J. 2012 Aug;16(6):1257-65
references.pmid: 21948218
references.citation: Am J Public Health. 2006 Jan;96(1):139-44
references.pmid: 16373667
references.citation: Public Health Nutr. 2006 May;9(3):313-9
references.pmid: 16684382
references.citation: BMC Pediatr. 2010 Jan 27;10:3
references.pmid: 20105284
references.citation: Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol. 2003 Jan;17(1):91-6
references.pmid: 12562476
references.citation: BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2011 May 20;11:38
references.pmid: 21599927