ABSTRACT
Objectives: The objective of this study was to identify the determinants of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) practice in Sheka zone, Ethiopia. In addition, the study aims to assess the prevalence of EBF practice in the study area. Study design: A community-based cross-sectional study design was used. Methods: A random sample of 630 mothers was selected by stratified cluster sampling using Kebele (an administrative unit) as a cluster. Data were collected using interviewer-administered questionnaires between June and July 2017. Descriptive statistics were used to assess the prevalence of EBF. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify determinants of EBF practice. Results: The prevalence of EBF was 76%. The prevalence of EBF decreases as the age of the infant increases: 95.3% of infants aged 1 month were exclusively breastfed, but only 45.5% of infants aged 6 months were exclusively breastfed. The determinants of EBF practice were age of the child, mother's educational level, marital status, household income, place of delivery, receiving postnatal care and place of residence. Mothers with a child aged <1 month were 34.9 times more likely to be practicing EBF than mothers with a child aged 5-6 months. Conclusions: Although the prevalence of EBF was below the World Health Organisation recommended level, the practice of EBF in the study area was good. The prevalence of EBF was shown to decrease as infant age increased. Therefore, we recommend that health workers in health centres and hospitals provide advice about EBF and the duration of EBF during postnatal care visits and infant vaccination appointments.