Abstract:
Introduction: Initiation of breast feeding within one hour of birth is the easiest and most cost effective intervention to reduce the risk of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Conducting studies immediately after an hour of birth for timely initiation of breastfeeding have a significance to initiate breastfeeding and to take an action immediately. However, there was paucity of information in Ethiopia and study setting on timely initiation of breastfeeding when the data were collected and verified immediately after one hour of delivery. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of timely initiation of breastfeeding and its associated factors among immediate postpartum mother-newborn pairs in Debre Tabor comprehensive specialized hospital, northwest, Ethiopia, 2024. Method: A facility based cross-sectional study was conducted from October 25, 2023 to January 25, 2024 at Debre Tabor comprehensive specialized hospital. A total of 478 immediate postpartum mothers were selected at birth using systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected using chart reviews, interview and observation. Descriptive statistics were computed. Binary logistic regression analysis was done and to identify statistically significant factors multivariable analysis was used. Both crude and adjusted odds ratios (AOR) were computed and the levels of significance were claimed based on the AOR with 95 % confidence interval (CI) at p-value < 0.05. Results: In this study, the prevalence of timely initiation of breastfeeding was 73.7% with 95% CI (69.65%, 77.67%). Being multiparous (AOR: 2.25, 95% CI: 1.32, 3.84), received counseling immediately after delivery (AOR: 4.19, 95% CI: 2.20, 7.98), received support and guidance from health care providers (AOR: 1.95, 95% CI: 1.01, 3.77), had no obstetric complications during and immediately after delivery (AOR: 4.44, 95% CI: 2.34, 8.42) and practicing rooming-in (AOR: 3.65, 95% CI: 2.05, 6.51) were significantly associated variables with timely initiation of breastfeeding. Conclusion and recommendations: The overall practice of timely initiation of breastfeeding in this study was lower than the world health organization’s recommendations. Therefore, it is better to focus on mothers who developed obstetric complications, primiparous mothers, improper rooming-in and lack of advice immediately after delivery on the timely initiation of breastfeeding to improve timely initiation of breastfeeding practice
