A Cross-Sectional Study of Pre-Lacteal Feeding Practice among Women Attending Kampala International University Teaching Hospital Maternal And Child Health Clinic, Bushenyi, Western Uganda

WHO/UNICEF strongly discourages the traditional practice of pre-lacteal feeding unless medically indicated. However, from clinical observation in KIUTH, this practice appeared to be very common. Hence, this study was aimed at documenting for the first time, the rate of prelacteal feeding practice, associated factors and the effect of this practice on the breastfeeding behaviour of the mothers attending KIUTH MCH clinic. This cross-sectional study included 403 mother-infant pairs. Mothers with children aged 2 years and below, who consecutively attended the MCH clinic of KIUTH during the study period of 3 months (January to March, 2010), were enrolled on first-come-first-serve basis. Ethical clearance was granted by the KIUTH research ethical committee and verbal consent was obtained from the participants. Data was collected using structured, pretested questionnaires and analysed with SPSS 16 statistical software. The rate of prelacteal feeding practice was 31.3%. The key proprelacteal factors were, delay in initiating breastfeeding beyond the day of delivery (LR = 6.1, p<0.0005) and beyond the first hour postdelivery (LR = 0.4, p<0.0005), maternal low level of information about breastfeeding (LR = 0.6, p<0.0005), the non-catholic Christians religion(LR = 0.8, p = 0.023) and village residence (LR = 0.7, p = 0.038). Prelacteal feeding was done mostly on the day of delivery with plain water (in 95% of cases) and due to perceived insufficient breastmilk. Giving prelacteal feeds was also common amongst mothers who attended ANC and those who delivered by caesarean section in the health facility. This traditional practice however, had no significant effect on the rate and duration of EBF and full breastfeeding. The rate of prelacteal feeding was high and delay in initiating breastfeeding beyond the day of delivery was the key determinant factor of prelacteal feeding. Decline in emphasis or possibly prescription of prelacteal feeding by healthworkers could also be contributory.