Prevalence and factors associated with timely initiation of breastfeeding in Kilimanjaro region, northern Tanzania: a cross-sectional study

Table 1 Background characteristics of mothers and children (N = 866)

Variable	Frequency (n)	Percentage (%)
*Socio-demographic characteristics of mothers*
Age (years)^a
15–19	42	4.8
20–24	262	30.3
25–29	243	28.1
30+	315	36.4
Area of residence
Urban	164	18.9
Rural	702	81.1
Tribe
Chagga	401	46.3
Pare	313	36.1
Others	152	17.6
Marital status
In union	721	83.3
Not in union	145	16.7
Education level
Never been to school	37	4.3
Primary education	581	67.1
Secondary education and above	248	28.6
Occupation
Farmers	470	54.3
Business	228	26.3
Others	168	19.4
*Characteristics of children*
Age (months)
0–5	191	22.1
6–12	274	31.6
13–24	401	46.3
Sex
Male	439	50.7
Female	427	49.3
Birth weight (Kgs)
Low birth weight (< 2.5)	110	12.7
Normal birth weight (≥2.5)	756	87.3
*Reproductive history*
Parity
One child	262	30.2
Two children	488	56.4
3+ children	116	13.4
Place of delivery
Health facility	767	88.6
Home/others	99	11.4
Number of times attended ANC
< 4 visits	318	36.7
≥ 4 visits	548	63.3
Counseled on breastfeeding during ANC visits
Yes	582	67.2
No	284	32.8
Child given colostrum
Yes	785	90.7
No	81	9.4
Prelacteal feeds
Yes	55	6.4
No	811	93.7

^aFrequencies and percentages do not tally to the total due to missing values in mother’s age categories

ISSN: 1471-2393