Table 2.
Maternal health and feeding practices of the study participants (n=400) in Samre Woreda from March-April, 2011
| Maternal characteristics | n | % |
|---|---|---|
|
Age of breast feeding child |
|
|
| < 6 months |
150 |
37.5 |
| 6-11 months |
90 |
22.5 |
| 12-24 months |
142 |
35.4 |
| > 24 months |
18 |
4.4 |
|
Number of gravidity |
|
|
| ≤ 2 pregnancies |
140 |
35 |
| 3-6 pregnancies |
216 |
54.1 |
| >7 pregnancies |
44 |
10.9 |
|
Practiced Exclusive Breast Feeding |
|
|
| Yes |
319 |
79.8 |
| No |
81 |
20.2 |
|
Last child’s sex |
|
|
| Male |
202 |
50.5 |
| Female |
198 |
49.5 |
|
Number of ANC attendance |
|
|
| No ANC visit |
32 |
8 |
| 1-3 times |
186 |
46.5 |
| 4-6 times |
161 |
40.3 |
| ≥ 7 times |
21 |
5.2 |
|
Avoid eating any food during lactation |
|
|
| Yes |
3 |
0.7 |
| No |
397 |
99.3 |
|
Eat any additional foods during lactation |
|
|
| Yes |
115 |
28.8 |
| No |
285 |
71.2 |
|
Change in food intake during lactation |
|
|
| No change |
285 |
71.2 |
| Frequency of meal |
32 |
8 |
| Amount of meal |
51 |
12.8 |
| Both frequency and amount |
32 |
8 |
|
Number of meals/day |
|
|
| < 3 meals |
108 |
27 |
| ≥ 3 meals | 292 | 73 |