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World J Obstet Gynecol. Sep 8, 2026; 15(2): 119451
Published online Sep 8, 2026. doi: 10.5317/wjog.119451
Published online Sep 8, 2026. doi: 10.5317/wjog.119451
Breastfeeding techniques and associated factors among primiparous mothers: A multicenter health facility-based cross-sectional study in Northeast Ethiopia
Mhret Bogale, Department of Public Health, Zemen Postgraduate College, Dessie 1145, Amhara, Ethiopia
Niguss Cherie, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie 1145, Amhara, Ethiopia
Getu Abeje, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor 6300, Amhara, Ethiopia
Samuel Berihun Dagnew, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Pharmacy Education and Clinical Service Directorate, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor 6300, Amhara, Ethiopia
Agmas Wassie Abate, Department of Psychiatry, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor 6300, Amhara, Ethiopia
Melaku Mekonnen Agidew, Department of Medical Biochemistry, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor 6300, Amhara, Ethiopia
Author contributions: Bogale M, Cherie N, Abeje G, and Agidew MM participated in the conception, design, and data acquisition, analysis, and interpretation; Dagnew SB, Abate AW, and Agidew MM critically revised the manuscript for important intellectual content and gave final approval for the version to be published; all authors revised the manuscript for important intellectual content and approved the final version for publication.
Institutional review board statement: The study was reviewed and approved by the Research Review Ethical Committees of Zemen Postgraduate College through a formal letter having ethical approval code No. ZPGC/00325/14. An official collaboration letter was also obtained from the College for the purposes of data collection and analysis. Informed consent was also attained by signing a form from all eligible participants, and all ethical guidelines were strictly followed throughout the study.
Informed consent statement: Ethical clearance was obtained from the Zemen Postgraduate College Research Ethical Committee, with an official approval code. Written informed consent was obtained from all eligible participants, and all procedures were conducted in accordance with ethical principles for research involving human subjects.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors declare that they do not have any conflict of interest to disclose.
STROBE statement: The authors have read the STROBE Statement-checklist of items, and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the STROBE Statement- checklist of items.
Data sharing statement: The datasets utilized and/or analyzed during this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Corresponding author: Melaku Mekonnen Agidew, Lecturer, Researcher, Department of Medical Biochemistry, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, P.O. Box 272, Debre Tabor 6300, Amhara, Ethiopia. agidewmelaku16@gmail.com
Received: January 28, 2026
Revised: February 7, 2026
Accepted: March 11, 2026
Published online: September 8, 2026
Processing time: 217 Days and 7.3 Hours
Revised: February 7, 2026
Accepted: March 11, 2026
Published online: September 8, 2026
Processing time: 217 Days and 7.3 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: Effective breastfeeding techniques are crucial for infant nutrition but are often inadequately practiced, especially among first-time mothers. This multi-center study in Northeast Ethiopia found that less than half of primiparous mothers demonstrated correct techniques. Key factors influencing effective breastfeeding included antenatal and postnatal counseling, timely initiation, breast problems, and prior exposure to breastfeeding information. These findings highlight the need for targeted education and support interventions at health facilities to improve breastfeeding practices, which can ultimately enhance maternal and infant health outcomes in similar low-resource settings.