| dc.description.abstract | Background: In Ethiopia, the rate of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is 59%, falling short of the targeted 72% set by the Ethiopian Health Sector Transformation Plan for 2020. Despite the importance of this topic, research on finding the predictors of EBF intention and behaviour using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) is still limited in Ethiopia. Objective: We aimed to utilize the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) model to understand the factors influencing exclusive breastfeeding intention and behaviour among mothers in the Dedo district, Jimma zone, Ethiopia. Method: We conducted a prospective cohort study following 417 mothers for eight months from 32 weeks of gestation during pregnancy to six months post-delivery. A newly constructed questionnaire assessing TPB theoretical constructs was used for interviews at baseline (week 32 of gestation). At baseline, we gathered data on maternal socio-economic and demographic status, obstetric and birth-related attributes, exclusive breastfeeding intention, attitude, perceived norm, and perceived behavioural control. The actual duration of exclusive breastfeeding was collected during the six-month follow-up. Spearman correlation was used to assess correlation among variables, while linear regression was performed to identify predictors of exclusive breastfeeding. Statistical significance was declared at p-value <0.05. Result: In this study, 98.6% of mothers intended to breastfeed exclusively, while only 62.7% practiced exclusive breastfeeding. Spearman correlation shows no significant correlation between intention and EBF practice (rho=0.01, P=0.88). In multiple regression, the theory of planned behaviour explained a 15% variance of intention, while wealth index, attitude, and subjective norm were significant predictors. Age was the only significant predictor of EBF duration. Conclusion: Although nearly all mothers intended to breastfeed their babies exclusively, less than two-thirds practiced exclusive breastfeeding. The predictors of intention were attitude, subjective norm, and socio-economic status, whereas the predictor of EBF behaviour was age. Since the study population was homogeneous, future research is required to investigate how the TPB can be used to explore the predictors of EBF intention and behaviour in a diverse population. | eng |