Prevalence and Factors Associated with Exclusive Breastfeeding of Infants Aged 0 to 6 Months in a Maternal and Child Protection Center in Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire)

Introduction: Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life is recommended for optimal growth and good infant health. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding in infants under 6 months of age and the factors associated with this feeding practice. Population and method: This was a cross-sectional analytical study conducted over a 6-month period from 1 January to 30 June 2022 at the Cocody maternal and child protection centre in Abidjan. The survey covered 308 mother-child pairs. A questionnaire and interviews were used to collect the data. Logistic regression analysis highlighted the factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding. Results: Exclusive breastfeeding was practised by 36.4% of mothers. The rate was highest between 1 and 2 months (48.15%) and lowest between 5 and 6 months (21.73%). The factors positively associated with exclusive breastfeeding were the mothers’ level of education, with OR = 2.48, IC95% [1.04 - 5.93] in mothers with no education, OR = 2.06, IC95% [1.03 - 4.15] in mothers with secondary education, the decision to breastfeed prior to delivery, with OR = 3.82, IC95% [1.94 - 7.49], and vaginal delivery, with OR = 2.33 and IC95% [1.29 - 4.18]. The risk factors for not practising exclusive breastfeeding were hypotrophy in the child (OR = 0.27, IC95% [0.10 - 0.73], higher education in the mother (OR = 0.68, IC95% [0.6 - 0.92]) and whether the mother worked in the public or private sector (OR = 0.361, IC95% [0.177 - 0.735]). Conclusion: Prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding can be improved by taking into account the different associated factors in the development of messages and communication strategies adapted to our population.