Colostrum avoidance and associated factors among mothers having children less than 2 years of age in Aksum town, Tigray, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study 2017

OBJECTIVE: To assess colostrum avoidance practices and associated factors among mothers of children aged less than two in Aksum town, Tigray, Ethiopia, 2017. RESULT: Colostrum avoidance was practiced by 6.3% (95% CI = 4.2%, 8.6%) of mothers having children aged < 24 months in Aksum town. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis at P value of < 0.05, lower number of antenatal care visit (AOR = 4.45, 95% CI = 1.9, 10.5), lack postnatal follow up [AOR = 2.98 (95% CI = 1.22, 7)] and poor maternal level of information on colostrum feeding [AOR = 4.8 (95% CI = 1.83, 12.69)] were statistically associated with colostrum avoidance. Coordination, strengthening and sustaining of awareness creation strategies and approaches is recommended for the promotion of the nutritional value of colostrum and its health benefits.