Review on factors influencing initiation and exclusive breastfeeding (EBF)

Abstract

WHO actively promotes breastfeeding as the best source of nourishment for infant and young children. World Health Organization recommends early initiation of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for the first 6 months of life. Despite the known benefits of breastfeeding, there are multiple factors, viz., socio- demographic that influencing the early initiation and EBF. Objective: The main objective of the review is to identify the factors influencing the initiation and exclusively breastfeeding among the primi and multi-gravida mothers both retrospectively and prospectively. Methods:  The searched source was conducted on WHO Global Database, Web of Science, Pub Med, Cochrane, Google search, Research Gate.A total of 46 literatures were retrieved, 31 were screened and 14 were included in the review both in abstract and full-text. A total of 10,408 participants were included in the review according to the inclusion criteria. The literatures included the Randomized Control Trial (RTC), Cohort, descriptive, hospital based recorded, prospective, longitudinal observational, retrospective population based cohort, Survey and Institutional based cross- sectional study.Results:  The included literatures were diverse in methods and focus. After assessing the quality of the abstract and full texts of potential relevant literatures and studies, 14 studies with a total of 10,408 participants were included in the review. The review included studies from different country of the globe. Conclusion: The review concluded that targeted educational programs and breastfeeding promotion to the community, national or worldwide needs to promote and indeed focus the advantages of breastfeeding. Counseling to all mothers during ANC and training on best breastfeeding practices and counseling skills for health staff are the urgent recommendation in this paper, so as to minimize the barrier or factor that influence the initiation and exclusive breastfeeding.