Premature Cessation of Exclusive Breastfeeding Among Somali Women in Boondheere District, Mogadishu, Somalia

Abstract

Breastfeeding practice remains a major focus of many disciplines exploring maternal and child health. The practice has been acknowledged as a Universal gold standard of nutrition of infants as it provides nutritionally balance and immune rich contents. It is also a fundamental social-cultural symbol that of motherhood. Whereas benefits of breastfeeding are conspicuous, most childbearing mothers in Somalia do not adhere to the WHO recommended breastfeeding standards. As such infant’s health outcomes are compromised. This study sought to explore factors responsible for premature termination of exclusive breast-feeding among Somali women living in Mogadishu. The investigation was guided by the ecological models of health behavior. An exploratory cross-sectional was adopted. Multistage technique was used to select sections and health facilities in the study site. Administrative units were divided into four strata. Stratified proportionate sampling was used to get sample size from each of the strata that were generated from sampling frame. From these strata individual respondents were drawn using simple random technique. The inclusion criteria were a mother who had given birth and had an infants aged 6-12 months. Interviews were conducted using a structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS, and presented in form of tables and graphs. The study found out that nearly half of the respondents at 46.2% (n=153) were aged below 24 years, those between 25-35 were 16.9%, while those aged 30-40 years were 21.5%. On number of births 44.7% were first time mothers while 55.3 were multipara. Only 18% had post primary education, 60% had primary education while 22% did not have formal education. Even though the Majority of the mothers, 62% had some form of occupation and 38% did not have, most of them, 80% had an income of less than 400UD per months. This was far insufficient to meet basic needs and infant upkeep. As such, the mothers were compelled to scale down on food intake which resulted diminished milk production and subsequent termination of breastfeeding. Majority, 65% of the women used charcoal as energy for cooking, 17.5% used firewood and 17.5% used gas. Base on the study objectives the study revealed that the study subjects had sufficient knowledge on benefits of exclusive breast feeding, however, a significant number believe that breast milk did not satisfy the infant hence need for introduction of other foods. The study also found that occupation and culture do not necessarily influence exclusive breastfeeding among the Somali women. Based on the findings, the study recommends workable ways of food support from post-natal clinic, enhanced education on importance of colostrum milk, and research on how to sustain exclusive breastfeeding among young women who face challenges of sustaining breastfeeding after delivery