Pre-lacteal feeding practices, determinants, and early health outcomes among children under 2 years of age in Nogob Zone, Somali Region, Ethiopia: a facility-based cross-sectional study

Key Points

• The study aims to examine pre-lacteal feeding practices and their relationship with early health outcomes in children under 2 years of age.
• Conducted a facility-based cross-sectional study in the Nogob Zone.
• Assessed maternal education and antenatal care access.
• Investigated early breastfeeding initiation practices.
• Evaluated cultural factors affecting feeding practices.
• Found a high prevalence of pre-lacteal feeding among infants.
• Identified maternal education and antenatal care as significant factors in reducing pre-lacteal feeding.
• Linked early breastfeeding initiation to better neonatal health outcomes.