Abstract

Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended as the best feeding approach for new born infants
due to its enormous benefits to the mother and child. This study assessed the sociodemographic,
physiological and individual factors influencing exclusive breastfeeding
among lactating mothers attending Fort Portal regional referral hospital in Western Uganda.
The study population was drawn from lactating mothers attending Fort Portal regional
referral hospital. A cross-sectional study design involving 201 lactating for 6-12 months
which employed both quantitative and qualitative methods in data collection was used for
this study. Simple random sampling technique was used to sample the respondents (lactating
mothers) at each facility. A Well tested and validated questionnaires and focus group guide
were used to collect data elicit information from the lactating mothers. Data from the survey
was statistically analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) (version
22.0). The study showed that initiation of breastfeeding after birth was done within the first
hour of birth by most of the mothers 126 (62.7%), majority of the mothers had fed their
babies other food substances with breast milk 132 (65.7%). The socio-demographic factors
which significantly influenced exclusive breastfeeding among the lactating mothers were the
marital status (X2 =17.715, p =<0.001), the level of education (X2 = 10.680, p = 0.014) and
occupation (X2 = 14.431, p = 0.002). The physiological factors which influence exclusive
breastfeeding among the lactating mothers were the mode of delivery (X2 = 12.258, p<0.001),
the HIV status of the mothers (X2 = 12.913, p <0.001) and the breastfeeding disorders
experienced (X2 = 16.538, p = 0.001). Mothers who had delivered vaginally were twice more
likely to practice exclusive breastfeeding (OR = 2) and HIV negative. The rate of exclusive
breastfeeding among lactating mothers attending Fort Portal regional referral hospital is low;
this is mainly influenced by individual, physiological factors and to a smaller extent, sociodemographic
factors. Hence health facility deliveries should be promoted by the district
health authorities to enhance child education after delivery.