Prevalence and predictors of exclusive breastfeeding among women in Kigoma region, Western Tanzania: a community based cross-sectional study

A cross-sectional study was conducted in March to May 2010 among 402 consenting women, with infants aged 6 to 12 months, from randomly selected households. A questionnaire was used to collect information on demographic characteristics, knowledge of EBF, infant feeding practices, and on HIV status.The prevalence of EBF among women in Kigoma Municipality was 58%. Knowledge of EBF was relatively higher (86%) compared to the practice. In the multivariable analysis, women with adequate knowledge of EBF (AOR 5.4), women who delivered at health facilities (AOR 3.0) and women who had no problems related to breasts, like engorgement/cracked nipples (AOR 6.6) were more likely to exclusively breastfeed compared to others.Prevalence of EBF in Kigoma municipality was slightly higher than the national figure of 41%, however it was way below the EBF prevalence of 90% recommended by the WHO. Strategies that target improving knowledge and skills for lactation management among women, as well as strategies to improve health facility delivery, may help to improve EBF in this setting.Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for the first six months of an infant's life is a cost effective intervention in saving children's lives and it is recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) [1]. EBF means giving only breast milk to the infant, without mixing it with water, other liquids, tea, herbal preparations or food in the first six months of life, with the exception of vitamins, mineral supplements or medicines [1]. It is estimated that, with EBF coverage of 90%, 13 to 15% of deaths of children under 5 years could be averted in low and middle income countries [2]. Exclusively breastfed infants have been shown to have lower rates of acute respiratory infections and diarrhoea, to have better neuro-developmental outcomes and have better physical growth compared to mix-fed or non-breastfed infants [1-6]. In areas where HIV prevalence is high, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, EBF has been shown to ha