Formula Feeding Practice and Associated Factors Among Mothers Who Visited Health Facilities for Their Infants Aged Below 6 Months in Bahir Dar City, Northwest Ethiopia, 2020

Hamelmal Azene Alemu,1 Hiwot Tesfa,2 Tadele Fentabil Anagaw,3 Hunegnaw Almaw Derseh,4 Netsanet Fentahun Babbel4 1Department of Human Nutrition, Health Science College, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia; 2Department of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Injibara University, Injibara, Ethiopia; 3Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Science, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia; 4Department of Public Health Nutrition, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Hunegnaw Almaw Derseh, Department of Public Health Nutrition, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, PO Box: 79, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, Tel +251-912-80-22-59, Email hunsew25@gmail.comBackground: Even though breastfeeding for infants and young children provides the ideal food for healthy growth and development, nowadays the use of infant formula feeding has increased worldwide. In developing countries, 1.3 million to 1.45 million childhood deaths are attributed to suboptimal breastfeeding practices.Objective: This study aimed to assess infant formula feeding practice and associated factors among mothers who visited health facilities for their infants aged less than 6 months in Bahir Dar city in 2020.Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted in March–May 2020. Data were collected from 593 randomly selected mothers with infants less than 6 months of age. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify associated factors of formula feeding practice with an a p-value of less than 0.05 and an adjusted odds ratio of 95% confidence interval.Results: The prevalence of infant formula feeding practices was 25%. Maternal age group of 25– 34 years [AOR = 2.388; 95% CI: 1.295, 4.406], mother’s occupation of private employee [AOR = 6.726; 95% CI: 2.756, 16.413], government employee [AOR = 4.726; 95% CI: 1.895, 8.700] and merchant [AOR = 2.798; 95% CI: 1.066, 7.345], positive attitude to infant formula [AOR = 2.10; CI: 1.09, 4.06], delayed breast milk initiation after delivery [AOR = 3.73; 95% CI: 1.504, 9.252], mothers who had 3 antenatal care [AOR = 2.294; 95% CI: 1.317, 3.997] and source of formula milk information from supermarket/pharmacy [AOR = 6.57; 95% CI: 1.48, 29.16] and from families/friends [AOR = 2.24; 95% CI: 1.24, 4.03] were independent predictors of infant formula feeding practice.Conclusion: This study’s findings revealed that one-fourth of mothers fed infant formula before the age of 6 months. Therefore, we recommended promoting behavior change communication, focusing on attitude change in formula feeding practice and its health consequences, promoting exclusive breastfeeding practice, and strengthening ANC service provision.Keywords: formula feeding practice, infants less than 6 months of age, Ethiopi